Historische Taufkapelle

Historic baptistery
A sacred place for God and people

In autumn 2002, the parish of Eberschwang started to think about the 1100 year celebration. After Mr Buchinger's initial wish that the parish should build a model of the former baptistery for the procession, the parish council decided not just to make a model, but to create something lasting by rebuilding the church as a chapel. At the beginning of November, a suitable location was found on the edge of the forest in Albertsham.

In collaboration with Franz Buchinger, the archaeologist Wolfgang Klimesch and the chapel planner, Alois Doblinger, planning work began immediately for the chapel, which was to be built using the half-timbered post and beam construction method that was common at the time.

The clay for the walls was slurried with blood and manure before Christmas, the shingles were handmade at the end of December, chopping and preparation of the timber began in January, and in February the bull's bladders, whose skin was to replace the window panes, were inflated and dried. In March, the willow rods and the thin wickerwork were prepared and work began on tying the structure.
On 3 April, the first truss posts were driven into the ground. More than 150 volunteers and a few experts worked tirelessly to erect the timber frame and roof truss, install the roof battens, cover the shingle roof, weave the wickerwork and plaster it with clay. The clay and rammed earth floor was laid in mid-June, the altar was erected and work on the windows and the heavy oak door began at the end of June.

The spring was dammed up and the water channelled into the chapel, where it now flows through a hand-carved baptismal font into the walled baptismal font. The planning work and the construction of the paths by the parish were completed at the beginning of June and cosy benches were installed outside.

The construction of the baptistery has created a permanent gem in a scenic setting. In future, it will invite people to visit and linger and become a place of silence and inner contemplation. And it will always be a reminder of the 1100th anniversary of the market town of Eberschwang.

The blessing of the baptistery took place on Sunday, 10 August 2003 at 9.00 a.m. as part of a festive church service.