An altar returns: Lathen-Wahn brings a piece of history home!

An altar returns: Lathen-Wahn brings a piece of history home!

A short story of return connects the community of Lathen-Wahn with the closed church of St. Walburga in Emden. Two years ago, Norbert Holtermann, a committed citizen, received a tip from his mother that this church, just 70 kilometers from his home, should be closed. There is a high altar there that is of great importance to many Lathen-Wahners. Generations have prayed there, and now there is an opportunity to reclaim a piece of their history. Catholic.de reports that Holtermann's mother pushed for the altar to be brought back to Lathen-Wahn.

The St. Walburga Church, which was consecrated in 1956, was not only a branch church of the Christ König parish in Emden, but also a place for numerous church services. It was located in the East Frisia deanery of the Osnabrück diocese and was named after St. Walburga. With the closure of the church in 2023, the future of the over 275-year-old high altar, built in 1749 by Johann Conrad Schlaun, also became uncertain. Wikipedia explains that the altar was originally intended for the St. Antonius Church in Wahn before going into exile in Rulle in 1941 and finally in Emden in 1956.

The return campaign

The Lathen-Wahners have fleshed out their desire to get the altar back and asked themselves three central questions: Does the diocese have the consent? How is financing secured? And where can the altar be placed in the church? Holtermann is optimistic: “The altar fits into our small church without any problems.” The diocese, meanwhile, has no budget for retrieving the altar, but is offering 5,000 euros for transport to the archives, while the community plans to collect a total of 65,000 euros from private individuals and institutions for transport, restoration and renovations.

The renovation work in Lathen-Wahn must also be coordinated in this context. The renovation work will begin in May, with the altar being dismantled in Emden and then transported to Lathen-Wahn. A newly built foundation is being prepared so that the altar can be rebuilt there. The image of St. Anthony will follow in its old place. On August 15th, after the renovations have been completed, the altar will be inaugurated by Bishop Dominicus Meier. A sign at the memorial site at the former village site in Wahn will mark the new location of the altar.

A piece of history

The return of the altar symbolizes the living connection between past and present in the Roman Catholic Church. This church has a long tradition dating back to the earliest congregations. As described in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, the diversity of communities that have formed over the centuries produced a rich spiritual landscape. The development of the church from the earliest days to the present day shows how important physical sites are to the spiritual life of believers.

Today the people of Lathen-Wahn are looking forward to the day when the relic of their history will return; they can hardly wait to renew the connection to the old St. Antonius Church.