Ecumenical service: Celebrate with us at the city festival in Heinsheim!

Ecumenical service: Celebrate with us at the city festival in Heinsheim!

There is a lot going on in Bad Rappenau! On June 21, 2025, the Catholic Church of St. Johannes The Baptist in Heinsheim celebrates a very special ecumenical worship event that takes place as part of the city festival. In the picturesque backdrop of the church built between 1838 and 1840, this service will not only attract the community, but also numerous curious visitors. Of course, this occasion also serves to illuminate the reference to the history of the church and the region.

The Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist is a cultural -historical jewel. Heinsheim, a district of Bad Rappenau in the Heilbronn district, has its roots deep in history. In the early 16th century, Heinsheim was owned by the Lords of Ehrenberg in two thirds. The rest was part of the German order, which remained Catholic during the Reformation, which led to a slow reform process in the community. Between 1528 and 1624, the small community experienced a change in which they gradually turned away from the Catholic faith and became dominant until the time of the Westphalian peace in 1648. This time was not only shaped by inner conflicts, but also by Martin Luther, who, with his 95 theses, laid the foundation of the Reformation in 1517. A time that did not leave Heinsheim untouched, as the historical records show.

a church with history

The parish has experienced many ups and downs, especially during the Thirty Years' War, which brought temporary recatholization efforts. But the Catholic Church was spared from destruction in both world wars, which St. John the Baptist has preserved as a place of faith and the community, also thanks to the loyal pastors who worked here.

The equipment of the church is particularly remarkable. It houses a late Gothic Pietà, a masterpiece of the school of Tilman Riemenschneider, and impresses with its stylish cup ceiling. With its simple but elegant architecture, the church offers the perfect framework for the upcoming ecumenical service. This not only represents a connection between the denominations, but also embodies the effort to unity and understanding at a time when religious tensions are still present.

Another highlight are the bells of the church, which tell their own story. In 1965 a new three -part ringing was commissioned, which the parish today makes. The largest bell with a diameter of 82.2 cm and a weight of 312 kg is not only acoustically impressive, but also a symbol for the cohesion of the community in Heinsheim.

The Catholic community also received strong growth in the post -war period when around 300 displaced people came to Heinsheim. This led to a revitalization of community life and, above all, makes the upcoming service appear in a special light on the occasion of the city festival.

service for the city festival

Visitors are cordially invited to take part in the ecumenical service, which is celebrated for the city festival on June 21, 2025. This celebration will not only warm up the faithful hearts, but also offer the opportunity to get to know the rich history of the Church of St. John the Baptist. An event that is much more than just a service - it is an encounter of tradition, faith and community.

For more information about the event and the history of the church, we refer to the reports of my.svections and wikipedia for Catholic Church St. Johannes The Baptist . A deeper insight into the history of the Reformation can also be read on history-abitur.de .

So note, it will certainly be a festive service that you can look forward to in Heinsheim!