Haunstetten’s Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua stands as a testament to faith. This chapel is dedicated to St. Antonius von Padua. It has a rich history within the Augsburger Stadtteil Haunstetten-Siebenbrunn.
Let’s dive into the story of this sacred place. The current chapel entrance faces Kopernikusstraße. This was formerly Gögginger Straße. The chapel’s grounds extend toward Haunstetter Straße.
The original Antoniuskapelle likely emerged in the 17th or 18th century. Pfarrer Franz Xaver Rid documented it in 1803. He listed it among buildings outside the village. He noted it possessed its own funds. These funds sustained it until secularization.
This first Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua was north of Haunstetten. It was near today’s Marconistraße. Sadly, it was torn down in the 19th century. A report from 1809 stated French troops damaged it. They were stationed nearby. It became dilapidated.
A second Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua rose east of Haunstetter Straße. It was on private land. Legend says Haunstetten farmers vowed to build it. They promised if they could harvest before a storm.
This chapel housed figures attributed to Bartholomäus Eberl. Albert Burkart completely painted the interior. This happened in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
The Sigmund hat shop stood beside this Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua. Around 1953, the shop and chapel made way for road widening. This was due to plans dating back to the Nazi era.
The third Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua appeared in 1953. Josef Sigmund built it on his private land. It stood about 150 meters west. It was next to his rebuilt home and shop. Stones from the demolished Sigmund house formed it. The Höltl construction firm built it. Former second mayor Rudolf Ripperger donated the iron gate.
The Sigmund and Schäfer families care for this private Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua. Once, the Antoniusoktav meant daily rosaries. Every Tuesday, people also prayed the rosary. Vandalism forced the chapel’s closure.
Inside, find a wooden statue of St. Antonius von Padua. Busts of Franz von Sales and Petrus von Alcantara are also there. These date back to the first Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua. Unusually, St. Antonius holds a book. The Jesus child stands on it. This represents the written and incarnate Word of God. These figures are attributed to Bartholomäus Eberl. He was a known woodcarver.
And so, the Kapelle St. Antonius von Padua remains. It is a testament to faith and resilience. It stands as a beacon within Haunstetten-Siebenbrunn. Its story echoes through the centuries.