St. Antonius Chapel (Motorway Chapel Gescher)

Nice small and contemplative church.

Since 1998, St. Anthony has been available to people on the move as highway chapels. As the oldest historical building in the city of Gescher, this church was used in the Middle Ages above all for the people who had to stay in a hospital or epidemic facility (leprosorium). A wall opening in the eastern gable called Hagioskop (Holy Window) bears witness to such a social institution. People suffering from leprosy were excluded and separated (lepers) to fight contagion from the village and city community. They had to live in cottages in cemeteries in the countryside. Through the Hagioskop they were able to participate in the liturgy from the outside. Essential was the water supply through the nearby Berkelfluss and the location on a trade route formerly from Münster-Coesfeld-Zutphen (NL) -Long the Berkel led to Deventer (NL).

Very nice to look at in the evening 👍