New faith center in Schwäbisch Gmünd: Chapel for inclusion opened!

New faith center in Schwäbisch Gmünd: Chapel for inclusion opened!

On July 11, 2025, the time had come: The new Franziskuskapelle of the Haus Lindenhof Foundation in Schwäbisch Gmünd was solemn by Pastor Prof. Dr. Dr. Sven van Meegen blessed. This significant day not only marks the end of a seven -year planning process, but also the opening of a new place of faith and encounter, especially for people with disabilities. This facility is a real heart project that wants to contribute to inclusion in our society.

The chapel offers space for around 50 people and thus the possibility for the residents to celebrate services, devotions and spiritual impulses directly at their houses. Home advisory board Doris Schmid was visibly pleased with the now easy accessibility of the chapel: "No longer to burn around for a long time, that's just great!" Hermann Staiber, the Foundation's CFO, also spoke about the importance of the initiative and the long way behind this project.

a place of community and faith

The festival service gathered many residents and employees of the foundation as well as the Holy Spirit sisters and was musically framed by the inclusive band "Dustumm", which made the celebrations a special experience. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wasel, the chairman of the foundation, emphasized that the chapel was not just a building, but a lively sign of faith. This is in accordance with current social developments: A deep awareness of inclusion has become necessary in the church since the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities came into force in 2008.

The initiative for creating the chapel is also made by prominent patrons such as Dean Robert Kloker, Mayor Richard Arnold and District Administrator Dr. Joachim Bläse supported. They emphasize the importance of this place for all people, regardless of their skills. The chapel is an expression of lived inclusion and is open to everyone - a social progress that is more than desirable.

A special feature of the outdoor area of the chapel is the bronze sculpture "Family Group" by the artist Sepp Baumhauer, which further underlines the inclusive thoughts. Over 400 sponsors have contributed to the success of the project, which impressively shows how important the community is for the realization of this vision.

The challenge of inclusion

The Franziskuskapelle comes at a time when the integration of people with disabilities into church and social structures is still challenging. Despite the progress, the path to equality remains rocky. A specialist conference is currently addressing how the church and diakonia can develop more inclusive. The participants emphasize that participation and participation are active processes that have to be further strengthened. The theological principle that every person is a creature of God and should therefore have access to community and faith is becoming increasingly important.

The new Franziskuskapelle in Schwäbisch Gmünd is not only a place of prayer, but also a sign of hope and change towards a more open and inclusive society. Doors are opened here - for encounters, for faith and for the community of all people.