St. Michael-Kirche

Detailed description

Although a manor in Roßbach was already transferred to the Teutonic Knights in a property exchange in 1307, a "Cabell" is mentioned there for the first time in 1578.

Triggered by the secularization, the Holy Mass has been celebrated regularly in Rossbach on Sundays since 1802.

Disputes arose between the villages of Reifert and Roßbach over the payment of costs incurred from early Mass, church needs and paraments, morning and noon bells, sacristan salaries, and so forth, especially as obligatory dues for the Kreuzkapelle, other churches, and the usual natural dues for clergy and teachers from the community still had to be provided in the usual manner. Despite everyone's good will, the ongoing costs could only be met with great sacrifices. The workers in church service were repeatedly forced to negotiate new conditions or demand arrears. In June 1851, the otherwise modest teacher Andries, who had been playing the "new little organ" since Michaelmas 1844, requested his promised salary. Aside from a collection of seven Rhine thalers, he had not received any payment. – After renouncing the old arrears, he was granted an annual salary of six thalers for his services in December 1851.

The chapel had long become too small and was in an extremely poor condition. In 1837, it was decided to carry out an extension. Financing posed great difficulties. In the community budget 1837/38, 26 Reichsthaler were allocated for the extension; however, the costs amounted to 328 thalers. It was already a ray of hope that Anton Brücken from Roßbach donated 100 thalers. Additionally, further 100 thalers came from the proceeds of a special levy on the community forests. – Nevertheless, the extension remained a temporary solution. A renovation was dismissed because the poor condition of the building materials of the old chapel made it seem unwise to expend further funds on the structure.

Since 1858, serious consideration was given to realizing a new building with an estimated cost of 4,000 thalers. However, due to the financial situation, this was associated with various obstacles and adversities. By selling community land, including a fir cultivation of about 30 acres, it was intended to create a disposable fund for the new building and save part of the necessary money; however, this was rejected by the royal district councilor Runkel in Heddesdorf. According to a report from Pastor Gomm, Bishop Arnoldi intervened in the dispute with a submission to the royal government in Koblenz. He suggested making "an exception to that rule here, especially since otherwise the community would not be able to cover the construction costs." Furthermore, he pointed out that the cessation of services in Roßbach would be greatly disadvantageous and "the church life would become completely alienated, and the much-needed chaplain in the large parish would have to be withdrawn."

With zeal and determination, the community remained committed to raising the necessary funds for the chapel's new construction. Portions of their property in the districts of "Hütung," "Auf dem langen Platz," and "Im Heckelchen," a total of 24 acres, were sold for about 800 thalers. Forest areas "Im Hohn," "Am Häubchen," and "In der Kunst" were to be converted into arable land and leased for 12 years.

Under the chairmanship of Mayor Hasbach, the council confirmed these decisions.

After an initial plan for the new building was rejected by the royal government, the new chapel, according to the design of the master builder Watterlohn from Neuwied, was to be 27½ feet long, 24 feet wide, and approximately 1,500 square feet large, capable of accommodating about 450 people.

In 1862, there was a dispute in the council regarding the location of the new chapel. Some members voted to retain the old site, while others wanted the chapel to be built in the district of "Driesch." Council member Wagner from Reifert strongly protested against the second proposal, arguing that it was not a matter for the community alone, but an interest of the residents of Roßbach. Ultimately, an agreement was reached to keep the original location, and additional areas were purchased.

Mayor König sided with the Roßbach residents by pushing to expedite the matter. For this, he had to endure some criticism from the royal district councilor Runkel from Heddesdorf, who seemed unsupportive of the project. However, the community remained persistent, and Mayor König supported them. In May 1862, the old chapel was demolished due to its dilapidated state and danger of collapse. The district council prohibited work on the new construction because a state grant and the requested church collection in the Koblenz district had not yet been approved; moreover, only about 900 thalers were available, and securing the remaining funds was highly doubtful.

But the residents of Roßbach would not be dissuaded from their plans. A report from the council states: "The way to Waldbreitbach, to the parish church, which is an hour away, is certainly not reasonable for the elderly and children. Furthermore, people are tempted to incur expenses at the inn in Waldbreitbach, which in the end could have been used to build a chapel."

Time continued to pass. In 1863, the Bishop of Trier approved a Catholic church collection in the Koblenz district, which was settled in 1864 with a total of 1,337 thalers. Finally, after securing financing through loans, donations, the church collection in Roßbach, and the labor contributions of Roßbach citizens, contracts could be awarded to the delight of the Roßbach residents.

It was reported that by 1866, the total costs, aside from the voluntary work provided by the community, amounted to 4,500 thalers. By 1867, the construction debt was reduced to 1,300 thalers.

In any case, the 470 residents of Roßbach rejoiced at their newly built house of worship, which, as before, was consecrated to Saint Michael.

In the last weeks of World War II, in the spring of 1945, the chapel was heavily damaged. Only the outer walls remained. Pentecost 1946, after the original house of worship had been restored somewhat, the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly transported from the emergency church in the Gasthaus Knopp to the village church.

Further renovations were completed in 1957. The roof and steeple were completely renewed, and three cast steel bells found their place in the new tower. The parish donated the new choir window with the motif of Saint Michael, and a new organ was purchased in 1958. The chapel was first mentioned in 1578, and regular Masses have been held here since 1802.

From: 750 Years of the Catholic Parish "Maria Himmelfahrt" Waldbreitbach, 1987

Alfons Hoffmann / Richard Schicker

Brief description

The chapel was first mentioned in 1578, and regular masses have been held here since 1802.