Friedrichshagen Support Association in Danger: Who will save the church?

Friedrichshagen Support Association in Danger: Who will save the church?

In Friedrichshagen, the support association for the preservation of the church there is facing a serious challenge. The association, which was founded in April 2011 and is particularly concerned with the church, which is in urgent need of renovation, sees itself without a successor as chairman. Joachim Schünemann, who has headed the club since its founding, would like to relinquish his position. Second chairwoman Regina Hacker also has little desire for another term in office. A new election of the Board of Directors, originally scheduled for April 29, 2023, has been postponed to June 24, 2023. It will be decided there whether there will be a new chairman or whether the association, which organizes concerts three times a year, has to enter the dissolution phase.

The Friedrichshagen village church is not only an important place for the village community, but also a cultural focal point. Regular church services, devotions and festivals strengthen togetherness in the small Mecklenburg village near the Bay of Wismar. The church has a special significance for the population, who are committed to its beautification. According to the statements of the support association and Ostsee Zeitung, among other things, the baroque altar from 1704 and the pulpit urgently need to be repaired be renovated in order to preserve the venerable church.

The importance of the church

Churches are much more than just buildings. They are also places of prayer, landmarks and signs of home in communities. The Foundation for the Preservation of Ecclesiastical Monuments in Germany has been supporting the preservation of Protestant churches for over 20 years. This underlines the difficulty of the task, as the costs for renovations are often high and resources are limited. The support association has successfully generated funds in the past, including through EU funding. But without committed members and a new board, the future of the association and therefore the church will remain uncertain.

As Mayor Steve Springer emphasizes, it would be desirable if a successor could be found to continue the valuable work of the support association. The Friedrichshagen Church is not only an important center for the villagers, but also attracts travelers who are looking for a break in the shadow of the historic walls. Preserving the traditional church is a task for society as a whole that requires commitment and initiative.

In order to overcome the challenges and ensure the club's continued existence, a new chairman is needed, who does not necessarily have to be a member of the club, but should have experience in club management. Time is of the essence, because a dissolution could endanger not only the cultural events, but also the spiritual home of the community.