As of: January 20, 2024, 7:00 a.m
By: Franziska Konrad
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Everyday ritual: Setting the altar before the service has been an integral part of Königsdorf's sacristan Hans Hartl for 30 years.
Even as a schoolboy, he represented the church servant with a certificate of honor and a gift basket as a thank you © sabine hermsdorf-hiss
Hans Hartl has been a sexton in Königsdorf for 30 years.
The parish church of St. Laurentius has become his “second home” over the years.
Königsdorf – There are probably no nooks and crannies in the parish church of St. Laurentius that Hans Hartl doesn’t know.
The 61-year-old sexton has been in Königsdorf for 30 years.
So far he has not regretted his decision to do this work for a single day.
“For me, this is more than a job,” explains Hartl.
“The church has become my second home.”
From an early age, the Königsdorfer grew into his role.
Even as a schoolboy in the eighth grade, he stood in for the sexton at the time.
“In cases like this, I had the big, rattling church keys with me at school,” Hartl remembers.
“If there was a funeral coming up, for example, I would just jump over and unlock the door.”
Königsdorf: Hans Hartl has been a sexton for 30 years - “Church has become my second home”
His career as a church minister began surprisingly suddenly in 1993.
Pastor Paul Fischer had already indicated in advance that the Königsdorfer would be considered for the foreseeable successor as sacristan, “but for me it was all quite non-binding”.
When his 88-year-old predecessor died the day before New Year's Eve, Fischer announced from the pulpit to the congregation that the sad news was also good: "I already have a new one." This is how Hartl found out about his new calling.
“It was a seamless transition.” Of course, the long-time altar boy didn’t need any training.
Not a day goes by that I am not at church.
When I do something, I do it right.
Hans Hartl, sexton in Königsdorf for 30 years.
Since then, every day at around 8:30 a.m., Hans Hartl has been winding up the mechanical church clock on top of the church tower.
“Otherwise time stands still in Königsdorf,” says the 61-year-old with a wink.
In the evening he locks the church again.
In between, his regular tasks include all preparations for the mass and instructing altar boys.
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“Not a day goes by when I'm not at church.” The Königsdorfer even arranges his vacation so that he can be back at the church on the weekend in time for weddings or funerals.
“When I do something, I do it right,” the sexton makes clear.
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Sexton Hans Hartl: His most beautiful moment in church was his wedding to his wife Antonia
In the past 30 years he experienced many beautiful, but also some sad moments in St. Laurentius.
Hartl had a special connection with Pastor Fischer throughout his life.
“When he retired, it hit me like a slap in the face.”
He thinks back all the fonder to his wedding to his wife Antonia in September 1997.
“That was by far one of the most beautiful moments,” enthuses Hartl.
As usual, he had prepared this service himself.
As a surprise, all 15 altar boys were present at the wedding.
I'm certainly not a saint.
A rascal of God is probably more likely.
Sexton Hans Hartl
“His Church” is and remains Hartl’s second home.
“I’m certainly not a saint.
A rascal of God is probably more likely,” says the man from Königsdorf and grins.
He was also surprised in honor of his 30 years as a sexton - this time by Pastor Bernhard Häglsperger and the parish council.
At the New Year's Eve service, Hartl received a certificate of honor and a gift basket.
Afterwards there was a standing reception in the parish hall.
Former altar boys from the past 30 years lined up in front of its entrance.
Hartl: “That made me incredibly happy – and motivated me further.”
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