Consider this the heart of old Hemmingen. The Kapelle Hemmingen stands surrounded by ancient farmhouses and lush greenery. It is a peaceful scene. This chapel is not just a place of worship. It’s a testament to the village’s history.
The Kapelle Hemmingen dates back to the 16th century. In those times, it served a dual purpose. It offered spiritual guidance and protection during hardship. Notice the almost windowless exterior. Also, the second story was used for storage. These features point to its role as a safe haven.
Step inside the Kapelle Hemmingen. Here you can find its most prized possession. It is a late Gothic wooden altar shrine. Originally, it formed the central part of a winged altar. Sadly, the wings have been lost to time. Despite intensive searches in various museums, they remain missing.
Within the altar shrine, admire the eight colorful and gilded figures of saints. They flank a painted crucifix. Their presence adds to the chapel’s sense of reverence. The Kapelle Hemmingen has many interesting features.
A significant event occurred here on October 4, 1998. It was the dedication of the new Truhenorgel. The sounds of this organ fill the chapel during services. Today, services take place on the first Sunday of each month and on holidays. The Kapelle Hemmingen continues to be an active place of worship.
The Hemmingen Kapelle, built from fieldstones, measures 6.6 meters wide and 14 meters long. Like other chapels in neighboring villages, it was built as a two-story fortified chapel. After the Thirty Years’ War, the small window openings, except on the east side, were bricked up. A pointed arch doorway and rectangular windows appeared on the south wall.
The saddle roof, covered with tiles, has two half-hipped timber gables. The western gable is covered with roof tiles. The eastern one is made of brick. The roof base protrudes on three sides. It rests on molded corbels.
Another major renovation took place in the late 19th century. The date was likely 1890, according to the inscription on the weather vane. The belfry at the west end of the roof ridge was replaced. A wooden hexagonal roof turret now sits on the western half of the roof. Since then, the Kapelle Hemmingen has been entered from the west side. The door is set within a sandstone frame with a horizontal lintel. The old door and two windows on the south side were replaced with three large arched windows. During this conversion into a hall church, the wooden intermediate ceiling was removed. A gallery was installed inside the Kapelle Hemmingen. The new weather vane on the roof turret bears the year 1956.
Until 1976, the Kapelle Hemmingen belonged to the parish of St. Vitus Church in Wilkenburg. It was then assigned to the Trinity Parish in Hemmingen-Westerfeld. This parish had been separated from the Kapelle Hemmingen congregation in 1949. Besides monthly services, the Kapelle Hemmingen occasionally hosts concerts. It is a place of community and celebration.
The Kapelle Hemmingen has been a silent witness to centuries of village life. It has seen wars and peace. It has seen births and deaths. Today, the Kapelle Hemmingen stands as a symbol of faith. It is a reminder of the enduring spirit of Hemmingen.