Renovation of St. George's Church: 5.9 million for a new future!

Renovation of St. George's Church: 5.9 million for a new future!

The St. George's Church in Nördlingen, an impressive example of Gothic architecture, is about to undergo extensive renovation. The last major renovation effort was 150 years ago, which underlines the urgency of the measures. The city administration has decided to tackle the renovation now in order to preserve the historical substance of the church for both current and future generations. How Augsburger Allgemeine Reportedly, work began on October 17, 1427 with the decision to build the church and its completion was celebrated in 1505.

The renovation will be carried out in several phases and will take around four and a half years. Architect Rainer Heuberger presented the detailed action plan, which includes replacing a severely damaged column in the choir as a first step. This damage is caused by penetrating moisture and absorbed salt, which led to the material loosening and spalling. Salt also attracts further moisture, which increases the already problematic conditions in the monumental suevite column. The church's heating system, which has not been in operation for several years, has contributed to the inability to remove moisture Donau-Ries Current explained.

The renovation plan in detail

The first construction phase will be followed by a second, probably from April 2026, in which the entire choir area will be scaffolded in order to repair the vault. The dissolving joints between the vault ribs should also be repaired. During this time, church services will only be able to take place in the nave. In the third construction phase, which is planned for 2027, the nave and the sacristy will be repaired. Wood protection report 24 highlights that historic churches such as St. George's Church often struggle with extensive problems such as water damage, mold and wood pests. Measures to prevent and repair damage are therefore essential.

Another big problem is the woodworm that has spread in the church. In addition to the column already mentioned, the high altar, the choir stalls, the epitaphs and the Renaissance side organ are also affected. Due to the large volume of the room, fumigation to combat harmful organisms cannot be carried out; the affected wooden parts are treated externally. Epitaphs that need to be protected during this work are temporarily stored under the gallery, where they are secured with a dust protection frame.

Financing the measures

The total costs for the renovation are estimated to be 5.9 million euros. The Nördlingen parish will contribute around 3.4 million euros itself, while external funds are expected from various sources. The Protestant community is also faced with a personal contribution of around 900,000 euros. Dr. Philipp Beyhl, the executive pastor, emphasizes the necessity of these renovation measures and at the same time speaks of the cultural significance that the church has for the community.

The renovation is not only a technical challenge, but also a cultural and faith-based mission that reflects the belief in the preservation of this valuable historic site. The planned measures will help preserve St. George's Church in all its splendor for future generations.