A club fights for the historic parish of Walleshausen

Created: 01/08/2023 11:39 am

By: Ulrike Osman

Jewel worth preserving: the Walleshausen vicarage.

©Osman

Walleshausen – The future of the Walleshausen vicarage is still uncertain.

But there is growing hope that a sale can be prevented and the listed baroque building can be preserved for public use.

A few weeks ago, an association was founded with this goal, which has concrete concepts and suggestions.

"The imposing complex of vicarage, parish garden and parish church forms the heart of the village in both a literal and figurative sense, it is the landmark of Walleshausen" - this basic conviction of the association is shared by many people in the village.

The fact that the citizens care about the fate of the building is shown by the number of founding members alone.

In one fell swoop, 50 people joined the “Friends of the Walleshausen Vicarage” – almost the entire audience at an information event that preceded the founding of the association.

The core of the vicarage, which is known nationally, was built in the 17th century and expanded into the summer residence of the Pollinger provosts in the 18th century.

The last pastor to live in the building moved out five years ago to retire.

At that time, Walleshausen was added to the parish community of Geltendorf.

The local Catholics' hopes of getting their own priest again were dashed.

Five years ago, the building and finance committee of the diocese of Augsburg recommended not occupying the parsonage again.

The reason for this was, among other things, an initial cost estimate for the necessary renovation measures.

Structural investigations revealed an investment requirement of between 1.4 and 1.6 million euros for the entire ensemble, including the parish and youth center.

Refurbish gradually

The club is also aware that this is a lot of money and that the numbers are likely to increase given the increase in construction costs.

However, the volunteers still do not want to accept the solution initially sought by the diocese of selling the vicarage.

They are convinced that there is another way.

A step-by-step renovation would be conceivable, financed in part by using the building for events.

"The house is actually in good condition," emphasizes Ruth Veneris from the management team.

Lectures, conferences, private celebrations, chamber concerts - all of this can take place in the representative rooms.

"In addition, you would need a permanent tenant for one of the floors, for example a doctor's office, law firm or day care," adds board colleague Felicitas Erhard.

She is the niece of former mayor Michael Raith from Adelshofen (District Fürstenfeldbruck), and he can refer to a project in his community that has exemplary character.

There the Pschorrstadl, a monument that had become an eyesore, was successfully renovated with the active help of the local clubs - and transformed into a jewel.

Today it houses event rooms and a restaurant.

"This shows that a lot can be achieved if the people are behind it," says Monika Lang from the board of the Pfarrhof-Freunde.

In the district of Landsberg, too, there are examples of the successful renovation of historical buildings, such as the vicarage in Kinsau and the Rochlhaus in Thaining.

District home nurse Heide Weißhaar-Kiem has already promised the association to help in the search for sponsors.

According to her, there are many contact points that pay subsidies for the preservation of listed buildings.

Versatile use

According to the intention of the association, the vicarage should become a place for church, cultural, social and ecological projects and events as well as a meeting place for old and young.

The parish garden with its up to 100-year-old trees is particularly suitable for ecological uses.

According to the association, part of the site on the Paar is a registered biotope.

Protected animal species such as bats and kingfishers live here, as well as various songbirds and hedgebirds that have become rare.

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My space

The diocese seems to be quite open to the club's plans.

In the aftermath of the planned sale - which was intended for 2021 but not realized - there was a "constructive discussion process" between the leading clergyman of the parish community, volunteers from the church bodies and representatives of the responsible diocesan departments.

"The facts and legal-financial basis for the future development of the vicarage and rectory were discussed," said the KREISBOTEN in a statement from the diocese.

First the club

The association should now present a current usage and financing concept.

"The future will show whether the necessary prerequisites for the preservation and use of the vicarage can be provided by leasehold or by purchase."

Other potential buyers would initially be given priority.

The association is the preferred interlocutor for the diocese.

All those involved are eagerly awaiting a still outstanding expert opinion, which is intended to quantify the value of the building complex and the need for refurbishment.

The numbers will have a major impact on how things go from here.

The “Friends of the Walleshausen Vicarage” are in good spirits.

“The examples from the surrounding area show that a lot is possible if everyone involved has the will and there is strong solidarity among the residents,” say the board members.