Ever wondered about the stories whispered within the walls of a seemingly simple chapel? Today we stand before the Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld. It is located on the Rensefelder Friedhof in Bad Schwartau. This chapel is more than just a building. It is a place of farewells and memories.
The Rensefelder Friedhof needed a new chapel because the population grew. The original chapel from 1890 was too small. So, in 1959 and 1960, the current Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld was built. This provided a larger space for services. The new chapel also included a Friedhofsleiter office and a sacristy. There was also a small extension for the chapel. A small lounge and restrooms were added.
Interestingly, services continued during construction. The old chapel remained in use. The new sections were built around it. Once finished, services moved to the new area. Then the old chapel was torn down. The main chapel space was built on that spot.
Below the Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld, accessible by a ramp, lies a large vestibule. This space allows for farewell ceremonies. Side wings house quiet rooms. These rooms allow families to say goodbye in peace.
Look up at the roof. Notice the small bell tower. The bell rings at the end of each service. It signals the departure of the deceased. The Rensefelder Kirche bells call to services.
In 1998, the Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld received a new organ. It was built by Paschen Orgelbau from Kiel. The organ has five registers. The interior was also renovated. The ceiling panels were smoothed and painted white. The organ gallery got a new railing.
Take a moment to appreciate the entrance. In 2002, a large canopy was added. This protects visitors from the elements. A ramp was added for wheelchair access. The roof’s design is reminiscent of grand train stations. This is intentional. Like train stations, the Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld is a place of farewells.
The Rensefelder Friedhof itself has a rich history. Plans for a new cemetery began in 1822. The area around the Rensefelder St. Fabian and St. Sebastian Church was too small. In 1829, the new cemetery opened. It included what are now grave fields A through M. By 1840, fields N through Q were added. The cemetery was expanded to include fields R through W by 1880. In 1940, the cemetery was about 2.1 hectares.
The church expanded the Rensefelder Friedhof in 1946. They bought land from Bad Schwartau. The layout changed with this expansion. The strict grid pattern was abandoned. Graves in fields AN through UN were oriented east to west. This expansion was completed in 1970. Further expansions occurred. These included areas to the northwest and an urn field to the west. The final expansion in 2003 brought the cemetery to its current size of about 8.5 hectares.
The Friedhofskapelle Rensefeld and its surrounding cemetery tell a story of growth. It is a story of change and adaptation. It stands as a testament to the community’s needs. It is a place of remembrance and reflection.