Fritz Lohmeier: After 38 years as a sexton, a chapter comes to an end

Fritz Lohmeier: After 38 years as a sexton, a chapter comes to an end

The church in Kirchdorf is facing a significant change, because Fritz Lohmeier will be adopted as a sexton on Sunday, December 1st. In a moving farewell service that begins at 3 p.m., Pastor Joachim Bachhofer and Pastor Joachim Kuklik will lead the celebration together, supported by the members of the trombone and church choir. After the ceremony, everyone present is invited to a church coffee to honor this special moment together.

Lohmeier, who comes from Scharringhausen, began his work as a sexton on January 30, 1987. He looks back on a long and committed career. "I always liked to do the work. Otherwise I would not have stayed that long," explains the 64-year-old. The profession of the sexton includes a wide range of tasks, from the care of the church and the cemetery to the care of the church social housing and the kindergarten in Scarringhausen. "You have to be able to organize your tasks independently," sums up Lohmeier, who has fulfilled his tasks with a lot of dedication in recent years.

a committed sexton

Fritz Lohmeier chose the profession of the sexton not only out of passion, but also from a special connection to the church. The parish supported his family when they acquired a property from them to found a parish. This meant that Lohmeier, who initially wanted to learn farmers, moved to the sexton he was able to accompany as a full -time job.

"My predecessor Karl Riekmann explained the tasks and I visited a sexton seminar. After that it was a matter of time before I got involved," he looks back. Lohmeier particularly appreciated the opportunity to be creative, be it when decorating the church on public holidays or planning services.

his absenteeism in the almost four decades show Lohmeier's commitment: he was only on sick leave once. "I had injured my hand and was outside for a week," says Lohmeier with a smile. In his free time he finds compensation in sports shooting, where he actively participates in the local shooting club.

his most important tasks, to which he always had a personal relationship, were the confirmations and the Christmas celebrations. He is particularly remembered by decorating the two large Christmas trees. "It was always my favorite task, even if it was sometimes a challenge to attach the fairy lights," said Lohmeier.

Now Lohmeier is retiring, noting that it will be a change not to get to the church every week. "I have to see how I will design my Sundays," he says. At the same time, he proudly looks back on the fact that he was able to hand over everything cleanly and neatly before starting his well -deserved retirement.

The changes in the parish are noticeable. Lohmeier himself expresses that many rows of banking often remain empty and is skeptical about the transfer of services. This technology had its advantages in pandemic, but the personal presence of the parishioners is still more important to him.

He is looking forward to the fact that Pastor Joachim Kuklik, who once introduced Lohmeier in his place, will be present on Sunday. The transition to a new time is heralded, which raises many questions for both Lohmeier and the parish in Kirchdorf. Who will follow him? And how will the parish develop under this new leadership?