Starting signal for the church of the future: Reconstruction in Durchhausen begins!

The Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart has given the green light for a comprehensive renovation project of the “Zu den Heiligen Engeln” church in Durchhausen. The diocesan administrative board has made the necessary decisions so that financing for the project is secured and construction work can begin. The church belongs to the Trossingen pastoral care unit, which also includes the parishes of St. Theresia in Trossingen and St. Georg in Gunningen.

The conversion project is part of the “Rooms for a Church of the Future” initiative, which aims to sustainably modernize the existing church buildings. The total costs for the project amount to around four million euros. The Durchhausen parish will contribute 500,000 euros of this, which will be raised through the sale of the old rectory. The remaining amount of 3.5 million euros will be financed by the Episcopal Compensation Fund, and this will happen without the parish taking on additional debt.

Details about the conversion

Approval planning for the conversion will begin in the new year, with construction expected to begin after Easter 2026. The church, which is more than 65 years old, has been in significant need of renovation since the last interior renovation 30 years ago. Comprehensive measures are required, including the modernization of the electrical installation, heating, lighting as well as fire protection measures and roof and drainage renovation. Concrete damage to the tower also needs to be repaired.

Particularly noteworthy is the creation of barrier-free access to paths, entrances and sanitary facilities. With the sale of the rectory, which is being sold due to high renovation costs and pressing requirements, new community rooms can also be integrated into the church building. The planned new community center will have its own address and will be equipped with arcades and parking spaces. In contrast to the newly heated community rooms, the church interior remains cold.

An additional community hall is also being planned, which will be divisible and equipped with an elevator, kitchen and sanitary facilities. The comprehensive renovation represents significant progress for the parish, which has to meet the requirements of a modern, diaconal-missionary church.

The challenges facing the Christian churches in Baden-Württemberg are great, as the current situation shows. Falling membership numbers and reduced financial flexibility are forcing a review of the pastoral requirements for the church's existing buildings. The “Rooms for a Church of the Future” initiative, which was launched by the Diocesan Council in November 2023, is intended to help evaluate the needs of the communities and develop suitable usage concepts over the next three years. The goal includes a 30% reduction in heated areas and the climate-neutral renovation of existing buildings by 2040 raeume-kirche-zukunft.drs.de reported.