Suddenly, a small Romanesque chapel appears. This is the Spee’sche Kapelle. Today, we will delve into its history. The Spee’sche Kapelle is a memorial chapel. It was erected in 1842. It commemorates Count Franz von Spee.
Franz von Spee’s son commissioned Rudolf Wiegmann to design it. Franz von Spee lived from 1781 to 1839. He held several important positions. He was Landrat of the district of Dusseldorf in 1837 and 1838. He also served in 1839. Spee owned numerous estates. One of them was Schloss Heltorf where he resided.
Franz von Spee came from the Spee family. This family was part of the old Rhenish nobility. His father Carl Wilhelm Franz Xaver Reichsgraf von Spee held high positions. He was a privy councillor. He was also Oberküchenmeister. Additionally, he was Oberstallmeister.
Franz von Spee studied law. He studied cameralistics. He attended the Universities of Dusseldorf and Gottingen from 1800 to 1804. In 1805, he became a chamberlain. This was for the Palatinate-Bavaria. By 1806, he was a member. He joined the Palatinate-Bavarian Privy Council. During the French period, he was a provincial councillor. This was in the district of Dusseldorf in 1807. He also served on the municipal council of Dusseldorf in 1809. From 1812 to 1813, he was prefect. He succeeded Heinrich von Borcke. This was in the Rhine Department.
After the French rule collapsed, Spee worked for the Allied State Directorate. This was for the district of Dusseldorf from 1814 to 1816. Then, he retired from state service. In 1814, he became director. He directed the Bergische Feuerversicherungsanstalt. It later merged into the Provinzial Feuersocietät in 1836. From 1827 to 1837, he was a city councillor in Dusseldorf.
In 1828, the office of a district deputy was introduced. Their task was to temporarily manage the district. This was during absences or vacancies. Franz Graf von Spee was appointed twice. He managed the district of Dusseldorf. This was after Friedrich Freiherr von Lassberg left. Anton von Lorch interrupted his service. Spee served from December 1, 1837, to June 1838. He served again from January 1 until March 6, 1839.
Spee was a member of the Provincial Parliament of the Rhine Province. He served from 1826 to 1837. From 1833, he was Vice Landtag Marshal. In 1847, he was a member. He joined the First United Parliament. In 1848, he joined the Second United Parliament.
In 1816, he received the Red Eagle Order 2nd Class. In 1835, he received the star to it. He co-founded an association in 1832. It was for mutual insurance against cholera. In 1838, he became president. He presided over the administrative board. This was of the Dusseldorf-Elberfeld Railway Company.
Franz von Spee died suddenly. He suffered a stroke. His son had the Spee’sche Kapelle built in his memory. It stands as a testament to his life. It also honors his contributions. The Spee’sche Kapelle remains a significant site. It reminds us of the Spee family’s influence. It also shows their commitment to the region.