Mutterhaus

In 1855, a seed of compassion was planted in Augsburg. This seed blossomed into the Mutterhaus, a haven of hope and healing. The Evangelische Diakonissenanstalt Augsburg, as it was formally known, opened its doors on October 15th, thanks to the vision of Theodor Fliedner. He was the founder of the Kaiserswerth deaconess institution. The Mutterhaus offered unmarried women a meaningful path. They could serve the Protestant church as deaconesses. Initially, they focused on caring for the sick and elderly. They also provided childcare and served as community nurses. The Mutterhaus quickly grew. By 1912, the number of deaconesses swelled from a dozen to 312. A generous bequest from Countess Stephanie Guiot du Ponteil in 1886 enabled the construction of a new Mutterhaus. This also allowed them to expand their services. One key addition was the Diakonissenkrankenhaus Augsburg, a deaconess hospital. The Mutterhaus continued to evolve. In 1913, the first retirement home for the sisters opened. The state recognition of their kindergarten teacher seminar laid the groundwork for future educator training. The Mutterhaus reached its peak in 1936. It housed 589 deaconesses. The Mutterhaus also played a role in darker times. In 1935, it served as a meeting place for the Confessing Church, a Protestant resistance movement against the Nazis. The Mutterhaus adapted to the changing times. A new seminar building was inaugurated in 1967. This later became a vocational academy for social pedagogy. The Mutterhaus continued its legacy of service. It established a conference center and embraced new forms of spiritual training with the diaconate program. This prepared the institution for a future without active deaconesses. The last sister serving in a community returned to the Mutterhaus in 2003. The Mutterhaus continues to be led by a superintendent and a rector. Pfarrerin Christiane Ludwig is the first superintendent in the Mutterhaus history who is not a deaconess. Dr. Jens Colditz has served as rector and chairman of the board since 2019. The Mutterhaus stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion and service in Augsburg.