Have you ever felt the weight of history pressing down? The Heilige Familie church stands before you a testament to resilience and faith. Built between 1937 and 1938 its construction wasn’t without its challenges. Initially planned 500 meters further east the Luftwaffe intervened. The proposed tower would have obstructed the flight path of Freiburg airport. So the location was changed. Even at its new site the tower couldn’t be too tall. This impacted the community. Residents of Betzenhausen joined the Mooswald residents in forming the new parish of the Heilige Familie. Previously they belonged to St Cyriak in Lehen a town not yet part of Freiburg.
The cornerstone was laid on June 27 1937. Archbishop Conrad Groeber consecrated the Heilige Familie on September 18 1938. A magnificent organ crafted by M Welte & Söhne was installed in December 1942. A generous anonymous donor funded it. Tragically this masterpiece was damaged by fire during an air raid on November 27 1944. Interestingly the church’s crypt served as an air raid shelter during the war. Its reinforced concrete ceiling protected about 40 people.
The interior underwent significant renovations in 1961. A further transformation followed in 1978 reflecting the liturgical changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Notice the striking German mosaic above the main entrance. This artwork depicting the Crucifixion with Mary and John is the work of Gertrud Leonhard-Püttmann. The three arches below lead into an entrance hall.
Inside the Heilige Familie’s vast hall stretches 32 meters long 14 meters wide and 9.5 meters high. It offers seating for 700 and standing room for 800 more. Narrow aisles flank the main space separated by arched openings. The choir is slightly narrower than the nave but 3.3 meters taller. The west end houses a large gallery home to the organ.
Walther Meyerspeer a Freiburg artist decorated the choir with a depiction of the Holy Family. He also painted the former side altars now found at the rear of the church. These depict Christ the Good Shepherd and Mary the Servant of the Lord. He also designed the Stations of the Cross completed in 1949. A testament to this church’s enduring spirit is its organ. The original Welte organ repaired by Willy Dold in 1948 was replaced in 1992 by a Vleugels organ. This was enhanced in 2019. The Heilige Familie’s bells a gift from 1957 ring out their melodies. Six bronze bells cast by Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling in Heidelberg have replaced three borrowed steel ones. Even the clock faces on the gable sides of the tower enhance this church.
The Heilige Familie church is more than just a building. It is a living testament to faith community and endurance. Its walls whisper stories of war peace and renewal. So take a moment absorb its presence. Let the Heilige Familie’s profound story resonate within you.