Dating back to 1767, Sankt Thomas Kirche stands as a testament to Betzenhausen’s enduring faith. This Roman Catholic church is a branch of the Heilige Familie parish. The Sankt Thomas Kirche carries the legacy of the Apostle Thomas.
Sankt Thomas Kirche’s story starts long before its current baroque form. In 1391 Betzenhausen was part of Freiburg’s West Town parish St. Peter. A local chapel was first noted in 1447.
Let me share a curious tidbit. Betzenhausen complained to Freiburg’s magistrate in 1702. They claimed to have had their own pastor in pre-imperial times. This pastor received income from St. Peter and St. Thomas churches. But the churches fell into ruin. So the parish was temporarily incorporated.
French armies captured Freiburg in 1677. This included villages like Betzenhausen. The French began tearing down suburbs to fortify Freiburg. St. Peter parish church fell victim to these measures. Betzenhausen sought care from St. Cyriak parish. They wished to retain spiritual guidance. They renovated St. Thomas Church. Yet efforts failed to secure a pastor.
Sankt Thomas Kirche faced challenges in the Second World War. The building suffered damage. It even faced demolition. But city pastors and many others stepped in. Restoration efforts concluded in 1986.
Notice the church’s simple design. It sits peacefully in Old Betzenhausen’s village center. Exterior paint divides the structure. These divisions include the rectangular nave. There is also a semicircular chancel. A sturdy tower stands to the side. A slightly angled gable roof sits atop it. The tower features a clock with Roman numerals. Look up to see the stork’s nest. It sits on the church tower roof.
During restoration, workers found massive foundations. They uncovered original paint colors. Excavations revealed the older church’s size. Its shorter length is visible in the bricked-up doorway. Dark gray pilaster paintings mark the nave walls. City architect Häring extended the church in 1767/68. This gave Sankt Thomas Kirche its present shape.
Inside Sankt Thomas Kirche lies a light-filled nave. A baroque protective grille stands at the entry. A baroque confessional sits under the organ loft. A statue of the scourged Christ stands nearby. The gallery depicts the Adoration of the Magi. Views of Sankt Thomas Kirche and Freiburg are to the sides. The organ dates back to 1862.
Apostle crosses adorn the nave. Across from the pulpit is an altarpiece. It shows Christ surrounded by apostles. Thomas places his hand in Christ’s side. A beardless man appears at the edge. It is said to be a self-portrait of Peter Mayer. Mayer painted the altarpiece in 1771.
The Stations of the Cross came from a Freiburg monastery. Small statues of saints were also brought back. The baptismal font dates to 1704. The baptismal group was added in 1978.
Side altars create a transition. They lead from the nave to the high altar. The altarpiece shows the Immaculate Conception. The other depicts the Annunciation.
The high altar came from Illingen in 1978. It originated in Schuttern monastery. Abbot Placidus II commissioned it. Scagliola art adorns the altar.
Sankt Thomas Kirche’s tower holds four bells. Three were cast in 1961. One bell dates back to 1785. These bells chime the hour. They mark time in this tranquil village.
Sankt Thomas Kirche represents renewal. It shows faith preserved through centuries. It is a landmark in Betzenhausen.