Page 112 - AIT0525_E-Paper

ÖFFENTLICHE BAUTEN • PUBLIC BUILDINGS INNERE WERTE • INNER VALUES

Neu geschaffene Seitenkapelle mit historischem Tabernakel • Newly created side chapel with historical tabernacle Marienstatue und Opferkerzen: neu gestaltet und platziert • Statue of the Virgin Mary and votive candles

E verywhere, church buildings are being demolished, repurposed, converted, down- technical refurbishment, and, most importantly, a new design, they aimed to create an
sized or adapted to new requirements. However, the transformation is rarely as
offering that would extend beyond the Riederich parish itself. In addition to worship
fundamental as in St. Johannes in Riederich: Here, the new organisation of the church services and liturgical celebrations in smaller settings, they also wanted to enable
interior not only creates opportunities for contemporary worship services but also concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and similar events.
allows for a wide range of uses extending far beyond liturgical purposes. The Church
of St. Johannes Bosco in Riederich was built in 1967 according to the plans of architect New beginnings and transformation
Wilhelm Frank (1925–1992) from nearby Herrenberg and is dedicated to the church
patrons Giovanni Don Bosco and Pope John XXIII. It is part of a series of twenty-five These changes were intended to strengthen the church and secure the future of the
nearly identical church buildings that were constructed around 1970 in the Diocese location. To meet these new usage requirements, the church interior had to be reorga-
of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. This type of church is characterised by the use of prefabrica- nised. In addition, the congregation wished for greater proximity between the priest and
ted concrete elements, which are assembled into a longitudinal, tent-like pilgrimage congregation. The central point of worship is the altar, which has been moved further
church with a steeply pitched gable roof. The Church of St. Johannes Bosco is part of into the centre of the room and placed at ground level. By removing the fixed pews in
the Catholic parish of Metzingen-St. Bonifatius and, as a succursal church, it serves favour of movable, interconnected chairs – some with kneelers – the church interior was
important pastoral and spiritual functions in the Riederich community. However, the made more flexible. This allows for a variety of different seating arrangements, creating
parish has not been spared the general trends affecting religious communities: decli- diversity in liturgical celebrations. To further emphasise this new central focal point, key
ning membership numbers and an aging congregation have resulted in fewer and older elements such as the tabernacle, Marian altar, baptismal font and memorial space for
churchgoers. Significant technical deficiencies in the heating and electrical systems the deceased were relocated to the periphery or corners of the church interior. The ent-
further contributed to the church being perceived as increasingly unattractive. Due rance area beneath the gallery gained additional space by removing the confessionals
to the dwindling congregation and popularity, as well as structural shortcomings, the and the old vestibule, creating more space for a Marian shrine and a memorial area. A
future of this church site was in serious question. A group of dedicated parish members new partition wall was added to separate one bay, creating space for two side chapels
therefore decided not to stand idly by in the face of these changes and ventured a new housing the baptismal font and tabernacle, as well as a chair storage area. These side
beginning with the “Riederich Team”. Through a liturgical and pastoral reorientation, chapels provide opportunities for personal prayer in small, sheltered spaces. Some

112 • AIT 5.2025