Summer evening in Zahrensdorf: Community celebrates the historical treasure!

Summer evening in Zahrensdorf: Community celebrates the historical treasure!

Last Saturday, June 21, 2025, the village church in Zahrensdorf experienced a special evening that touched the hearts of the visitors. The annual summer evening, organized by the support association for the preservation of the Zahrensdorf village church, was a complete success and was very well received. This association, which has been committed to the listed church for over 20 years, offered guests not only a musical program, but also the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.

The ambience in the late medieval church was unique; visitors enjoyed the sounds of the Hagenow string group “Sonntagsladys”, which created a good atmosphere with well-known film music. Angret Haase, the chairwoman of the support association, had prepared well for the evening and in her words emphasized the importance of donations. These are crucial for the preservation of the church, which has already required 360,000 euros to renovate the church tower in recent years. An urgent appeal to everyone present to take an active part in preserving the historical heritage.

The role of support associations

As the German Foundation for Monument Protection explains, support associations like the one in Zahrensdorf play an important role, especially in rural regions. These organizations often close gaps between what the state and church offer and the actual needs of the community. The support association currently has around 30 members, and most of them are active on a voluntary basis. Their mission: to keep the church alive and make it accessible to the community through events like this summer evening.

A particularly notable event recently was the visit from descendants of former parishioners from Australia. Such encounters not only create a deeper connection with one's own history, but also motivate people to care for their cultural heritage. Nevertheless, finding younger members to bring fresh ideas and new commitment to the club remains a challenge.

The challenges of monument protection

Maintaining a listed building brings with it many challenges. In particular, the need for renovation of the chapel and the preservation of the cemetery as a historic monument are issues that are currently occupying the association and the community. The legal provisions on monument protection, which are defined differently by the individual federal states in Germany, do not make the situation any easier. Owners are obliged to maintain the property, which in some cases can be a great burden.

The German Foundation for Monument Protection supports owners who cannot finance the preservation of their monuments on their own by funding around 600 renovation projects every year. The following applies: The funds should not be used to relieve the responsible authorities of their responsibility. Monument worthiness is determined by special historical or architectural features and ensures that cultural history is preserved.

In Zahrensdorf, pastoral care is temporarily in the hands of Pastor Christian Lange from Vellahn, as there are no plans to permanently fill the pastor's position due to a structural reform. In the future, the pastoral team around Daniel Havemann and Johanna Montesanto will take over the care of the community. The residents are excited and hope that the new pastors will be just as committed to the challenges of monument protection and community work.

With commitment, heart and willingness to donate, the support association and the community of Zahrensdorf look optimistically into the future. Preserving the village church is not only an act of monument protection, but also an investment in the community and its history. Because as the saying goes: Where history lives, there lies the future!