Was it fate, or just coincidence? That the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten, a small chapel built around 1900, found itself at the heart of a relocation story.
Welcome to the tale of the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten. It is a story of rescue and relocation. This modest chapel, once nestled near the Stiftskurie Sankt Paulin in Trier-Nord, faced demolition in January 1982.
Imagine, if you will, the scene. There is a quaint chapel, a relic of simpler times. But progress beckoned. Plans were drawn up for its destruction. The Kapelle zum Guten Hirten would be no more.
But the Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof stepped in. They recognized the chapel’s value. The museum meticulously dismantled the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten. Each piece was carefully transported to Roscheid.
The Bischöfliche Behörde supported this commendable effort financially. Their contribution ensured the chapel’s survival. In October 1983, the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten was lovingly rebuilt. It found a new home within the museum’s grounds.
The Kapelle zum Guten Hirten now stands as a testament to Klassizismus. It is a reminder of a bygone era. Its simple design speaks volumes about its history.
Originally, the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten stood near the Kloster vom Guten Hirten. This monastery had a rich history of its own. Four sisters from Mainz settled in a house near the Paulinskirche in 1852. Their mission was to care for vulnerable girls.
They withdrew due to difficulties. Bishop Arnoldi then sought help from the “Kloster vom Guten Hirten” in Munich. Sisters were sent to continue the work.
By 1857, six sisters resettled the monastery. They took in orphans and at-risk school children. These children were educated at their school of Sankt Paulin.
The church was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1873. However, the school closed during the Kulturkampf in 1875.
In 1903, a new monastery building was constructed. From 1914 to 1918, the Kloster vom Guten Hirten served as a military hospital. A state-recognized domestic science school was founded in 1952.
As time passed, the old buildings became inadequate. A new home, “Auf dem Wehrborn,” was built near Aach in 1965. The official inauguration of “Haus Wehrborn” took place in 1968. The girls received domestic and vocational training there.
The old buildings near Sankt Paulin were demolished in 1969. A kindergarten was established at “Haus Wehrborn” in 1970.
Since 1970, various educational programs were introduced. These included a vocational preparation year for domestic science and nutrition. There was also a two-year vocational school for economics, a three-class secondary school, and a vocational school for childcare.
In 1983, a two-year vocational school for domestic science/social work opened. The boarding school expanded to three groups.
Today, the Kapelle zum Guten Hirten stands in the Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof. It is a symbol of preservation. The chapel is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a story of community and dedication. A place where history was rescued from oblivion.