Future Vision Unveiled by Parish of St. Joseph at St. Francis Church in Welheim
St. Francis Church in Welheim Decommissioned, Plans for Redevelopment Unveiled
After a significant chapter in Welheim's history, St. Francis Church, a prominent landmark, was officially decommissioned in May 2022. The last Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Wilhelm Zimmermann. Since then, the site has been closed and is no longer available for liturgical purposes.
During the decommissioning process, the St. Joseph Parish initiated a development plan for the former St. Francis Church site. The plan involves demolishing all existing buildings on the site, except for the church itself, to make way for new construction and urban redevelopment. The contracts for the new development are currently in final negotiations and are expected to be signed in the fall.
The guiding principle for the parish development process is "We remain in the area". The first construction phase will see the demolition of the former rectory and the sacristy annex, with the first new building, which will also house a planned senior living group, constructed in their place. This phase is expected to pave the way for senior-friendly social housing, barrier-free living spaces, and a self-determined senior living group.
The development plan also includes converting the church space into a multifunctional community space. However, specific details about the future plans for the St. Francis Church in Welheim, including any proposed development of senior-friendly housing and a community space, remain uncertain due to a lack of pertinent data.
In the meantime, parts of the nativity scene from St. Francis Church are now used annually in the St. Antonius community in Essen, and the church pews were donated to the Holy Johannes the Baptist community in Łagów, Poland.
The St. Francis kindergarten, a part of the church's community, will close within the next four years due to a lack of approval for a new building and decreasing demand for kindergarten places in the Welheim district. The second construction phase will begin parallel to the end of the kindergarten's use, with further green housing planned.
In an effort to find a sustainable solution for the former church site, the parish published an exposé and launched a call for expressions of interest. The parish's first live-streamed services during the COVID-19 pandemic were held at St. Francis Church, adding to its historical significance in Welheim.
As the development plans for St. Francis Church in Welheim progress, the community awaits the start date for construction and the realisation of a new chapter for this beloved landmark.
- In an effort to diversify its use, the St. Francis Church could potentially be transformed into a multifunctional community space, as part of the development plan for the site.
- To bolster the community's lifestyle and support local seniors, plans also outline the construction of senior-friendly social housing and self-determined senior living spaces on the former St. Francis Church site.
- With a range of projects in the pipeline, including real-estate development and investments in home-and-garden amenities, the decommissioned St. Francis Church in Welheim is poised to undergo a significant transformation, impacting the local finance and lifestyle landscape.
