Church death in the Rhein-Lahn district: renovation backlog threatens future!

Church death in the Rhein-Lahn district: renovation backlog threatens future!

In the Rhein-Lahn district, numerous church buildings face an uncertain future because a significant renovation backlog was found. According to rhein-zeitung.de it is now more urgent than ever to think about the preservation and use of these buildings. The chapel in Reichenberg and other church real estate in particular are affected by this problem. According to the latest mergers of parishes, the discussion is currently being discussed, which the 22 buildings listed in the "Alt parish of St. Martin Bad Ems/Nassau" can be received, renovated or possibly sold.

For two of three Catholic parishes in the Rhein-Lahn district, there is a specific plan to address these challenges. In a press release from the diocese of Limburg it is pointed out that concrete approaches must be developed in order to secure financial sovereignty in the long term. The concept that has been developed since 2021 plays a central role.

need for action and concrete steps

During a presentation on February 13, 2025, Pastor Armin Sturm emphasized the need for immediate action. Representatives of the bodies, the pastoral team and the local committees in Bad Ems were present. The results of the parish working group of the parish were presented here, which developed a sustainable concept for the renovation and use of the real estate. These plans show the "inevitable" steps that are necessary to address the maintenance jam of at least 11.5 million euros.

The high pressure to act, which was created by evaluating the real estate in the old parish. In recent years, various reforms have led to parishes to re -evaluate and categorize their real estate, which is a paradigm shift in the use of church buildings.

reforms and their effects

The topic is not isolated, but to consider the comprehensive “asset and real estate reform of the Catholic Church in the north”. This reform, which began on January 25, 2021, has the goal of reducing the number of church buildings due to high maintenance costs and the falling number of Catholics and priests. Parishes are asked to divide their 600 buildings into "primary" and "secondary properties".

• primary real estate: indispensable buildings that are preserved.
• Secondary property: building that is sold, used differently or rented.

All concepts are said to have been approved by the end of 2024. Despite the delays from the corona crisis, twelve concepts have already been submitted and seven have been signed by the archbishop. However, the implementation will only begin in many places, which exerts additional pressure on the parishes.