The chapel was built in 2014/2015 and is a reminder of the former district of Hövelsenne, which had to be abandoned to expand the Senne military training area. More than 130 families and around 800 residents were evacuated. In addition to the farmsteads, the town center with church and school also had to be abandoned. The small chapel was externally rebuilt to scale of the former church
The Hövelsenner chapel commemorates the residents of the Hövelhof district of Hövelsenne, which had to give way almost entirely to today's Senne military training area in the last century.
The building is a scaled-down replica of the former St. Joseph's Church, which finally had to be abandoned in 1974 and was later blown up. The window fragments, a floor tile and some stones from the old church form the inner core of the new chapel.
The names engraved on the paving stones in front of the building stand for the 135 former farmsteads whose residents were resettled in Mecklenburg, in the Rhineland or directly in Hövelhof.
The history of the district of Hövelsenne and its church began with settlement in the 17th century. In 1923, the St. Joseph's Church was built from donations and personal contribution.
Until 1974, the church was a place of prayer, reflection and coming together. After the district of Hövelsenne had been affected by resettlement plans due to the expansion of the military training area since the early years of the war, these plans were pushed through after the war after a long struggle on both sides. 135 families lost their homes and had to move. The last mass was celebrated in Hövelsenne in 1974, and in 1985 the church was blown up to everyone's horror. Today, a memorial stone and a mountain of rubble on the military training area remind us of the spot where the church stood.
The possibility of coming to Hövelsenne and praying and remembering at the old place has become more and more difficult over time. It is only possible with a special permit and in small groups with the appropriate guide.
However, the district of Hövelsenne still lives on in the hearts of the people of Hövelsenne.
For this reason, the Förderverein Hövelsenner Kapelle e.V. built the memorial chapel, a place of remembrance and commemoration that is freely accessible to everyone at all times.
The chapel was created through donations and personal contribution, as was St. Joseph's Church in 1923. The exterior is based on the appearance of St. Joseph's Church. The orientation of the chapel is identical to the old orientation of St. Joseph's Church.
The location is also chosen with care. This site is on the same street, within sight of the old site of the church. It is the closest place to the border of the military training area on the old site of the town of Hövelsenne. There is no better location that comes close to reflecting the emotional and visible closeness.
Visit the small chapel on the outskirts of Hövelsenne!
The Hövelsenn chapel commemorates the inhabitants of the Hövelsenne district of Hövelsenne, which in the last century had to give way almost entirely to today's Senne military training area.
The building is a scaled-down replica of the former St. Joseph's Church, which had to be finally abandoned in 1974 and was later blown up. The window fragments, a floor tile and some stones from the old church form the inner core of the new chapel.
The engraved names on the paving stones in front of the building stand for the 135 former farmsteads whose inhabitants were relocated to Mecklenburg, the Rhineland or directly to Hövelhof. The history of the district Hövelsenne and its church began by the settlement in the 17th century. In 1923, the St. Joseph's Church was built from donations and personal contribution. The church was until 1974 the place of prayer, pause and gathering. After the district Hövelsenne had been affected by the resettlement plans due to the expansion of the military training area since the early years of the war, these plans were enforced after the war after long wrestling on both sides. 135 families lost their homes and had to relocate. The last Mass was celebrated in Hövelsenne in 1974, in 1985 the church was blown up to everyone's horror. Today a memorial stone and a rubble mountain on the military training area remind of the place where the church stood. The ability to come to Hövelsenne and pray and remember in the old place has become increasingly difficult over time. It is only possible with a special permission and in small groups with appropriate guidance.
The district Hövelsenne still lives on in the hearts of the Hövelsenner. For this reason, the Förderverein Hövelsenner Kapelle e.V. erected the memorial chapel, a place of remembrance and remembrance, which is freely accessible to all at all times. The chapel was created by donations and personal contribution, as was St. Joseph's Church in 1923. The exterior is inspired by the appearance of St. Joseph's Church. The orientation of the chapel will be identical to the old orientation of St. Joseph's Church. The location is also chosen wisely. This location is on the same street, within sight of the old site of the church. It is the nearest town on the border of the military training area in the old area of Hövelsenne. There is no better location that approximates the emotional and visible proximity.