Space for culture, inclusion and events: The interior of the Zacchaeus Church is to be renovated and equipped in such a way that the rooms can also be used for associations, for example. © Volker Camehn
The Zacchaeus Church in Sauerlach is being rebuilt to be multifunctional. Clubs and groups will also be able to use the rooms.
Sauerlach – Church as a multifunctional space: The interior of the Zacchaeus Church in Sauerlach is to be completely renovated in the coming year. Contemporary in appearance, versatile in use, a kind of multi-purpose space - this was the goal for the architect Peter Popp, who presented his concept at the most recent municipal meeting.
Almost 30 interested people had recently come to the Zacchaeus Church, not least to discuss the future use of the church. An ambitious project of the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Holzkirchen, to which Sauerlach and its districts belong together with Otterfing, Holzkirchen, Valley, Warngau and districts of Dietramszell and Egling.
Architect Martin Popp (back) explains his conversion plans to the parishioners. © Volker Camehn
Also financial reasons
60 years after the construction of the Zacchaeus Church, the interior is to be "brought into a contemporary state", according to the parish. Not a completely voluntary decision, the church leaders are killing two birds with one stone: On the one hand, the Zacchaeus Church, built in 1963 according to plans by the architect Franz Lichtblau, who died in 2019, is in need of renovation. On the other hand, the number of church attendees is declining sharply, if only because of demographic developments. Financial resources are also becoming scarcer: It was not until the end of 2017 that St. Michael's Chapel in Dietramszell was sold - poor building fabric, too little participation in church services. Continued operation was no longer worthwhile.
Culture, Inclusion, Club Events
The Church of Zacchaeus should not suffer the same fate. The new utilisation concept, which has been devised over the last two years, is to be based on "what is good for the church", says architect Popp. Generosity in equipment and use, only worship was yesterday. The keywords: "Farewell to frontal teaching", as Popp says, "sense of space", "culture", "inclusion" - in short: a new church feeling is to find its way here, usable also for clubs and groups from the village. Specifically, this involves very pragmatic solutions such as accessibility, disabled toilets and cooking facilities, modern technical equipment such as a permanently installed screen, large windows, expansion options through sliding elements and flexible seating. In the sacred space, not only church services are to take place, because this is only one of the possible uses in the future. Pastor Ulrike Lorentz, Chairwoman of the Church Council: "We are opening up even more!"
650,000 euros in costs
Brighter, higher, further. The restart is expected to cost a good 650,000 euros, says Lorentz. The ambitious project, for which architect Popp estimates a conversion period of between half a year and a whole year ("This is still difficult to estimate today"), is to be financed by donations, funds from the regional church and community subsidies. The association "Aktion Mensch" is also to participate here. A convincing inclusion concept is important to him, "otherwise they won't participate," says Ulrike Lorentz. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024.
The parishioners contribute their ideas and wishes for the future use of the church. © Volker Camehn
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Last week, the parishioners also took part in the discussion about the new possibilities of use by discussing their ideas for implementation at five thematic tables: Starting with further financing options, art campaigns, children's meetings, the possibility of private parties to bicycle racks and benches in the church courtyard. To what extent services can and should take place in the Zacchaeus Church during the renovation phase, the Sauerlach pastor Peer Mickeluhn could not currently estimate. "We still have to sort that out."
