There's no joy of Christmas celebrations in sight just yet for the parishioners of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, as their beloved Martin Luther Church lies in shambles behind a construction fence. But amidst the chaos, they find solace in the illuminated Christmas tree that's been set up inside the church. "At least it's a beacon of hope," says Pastor Bach, reflecting upon the hellish summer of 2021, when the Ahr Valley faced its worst floods in centuries.
According to official reports, the devastating floods left no lesser than seven buildings associated with the Protestant Church in ruins, including two houses of worship. Meanwhile, Catholic Church structures suffered even more, with a staggering 55 buildings destroyed or severely damaged across the flood-affected areas of Trier, Eifel, and Ahr Valley. Among these were 26 churches and chapels, and 15 parish homes.
As Pastor Bach views the state of his church, he recalls the loss of plaster, floor, and inventory due to the flood. The organ was saved (thank goodness), but the altar and pulpit were no more. It's going to be a long haul before the church is restored to its former glory. The pastor is grateful for the approval of solar panels on the church roof, a step towards future-proofing their sanctuary.
"Plasterless, floored, and bereft of essentials" describes the state of the Martin Luther Church. However, the church will see its way through the pre-construction phase, conducting services in the parish hall and a neighboring church in the village. Pastor Bach couldn't help but express his gratitude for the availability of the neighboring "Friedenskirche," where services were able to be held, thus sparing the community the hardship of seeking religious solace elsewhere. This Christmas, as they await repairs, the community will be blessed with the presence of that beacon of hope – the Christmas tree, adorned with twinkling lights and a small nativity scene – in their very own church's premises.
Read also:
- The devastating floods of 2021 left a broad swathe of destruction in their wake, taking precious lives and eroding entire communities. While this article focused on the situation of the Martin Luther Church and its surrounding community, extensive research is still required to gather the exact number of churches and other structures impacted by the floods for both the Protestant and Catholic churches.
