Route of Commemoration No. 17: The Church As A Landmark

The 96 km long hiking trail „Route of Commemorating" was opened in the spring of 2015. The road passes over striking places of war history in the German-Belgian border area via already existing hiking trails in Büllingen, Bütgenbach and Waimes on the Belgian side and the municipalities of Hellental and Monschau in Germany. Along the way, 30 four-lingual info panels explain the historical events surrounding the Ardennes offensive, smuggling, Westwall and many other themes.

Info panel No. 17
The second Parish Church (1905-1951)
The old church surrounded by a churchyard was for a long time too small. It was to be replaced by a new and magnificent place of worship for which building on the former market square started in 1905 and the church was inaugurated on 16th July 1907. Once the tower was completed, the tip rose 52 meters high. The inside of the church was repainted in 1932. At the end of 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, the church suffered heavy damage. After that the building noticeably decayed. Demolition began in 1948 and ended with the destruction of the tower in 1951.

Emergency Church (1945-1954)
In the summer of 1945, works began on erecting a barrack church from wood and corrugated Eternit and were completed by the end of the year. From then on, religious celebrations were held here until the inauguration of the new church buildings. The disused emergency church was then used as an excursion restaurant near the Eupen dam.

Third Parish Church (from 1953)
Works began on a new and modern church building in 1953. The inauguration could be held as early as 29th September 1954. While the total built-up area is significantly larger, the building itself is appreciably more humble than its predecessor (the bell tower measures just under 31 meters). The colourful church windows were restored in 1963 based on a design by André Blank. In 1977, the chancel of the parish church was adapted to meet the new liturgical requirements and the original anterior annex, which had been used as a baptistery, was converted into a chapel of rest.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Hans Tasma