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This wooden wayside cross dates back to a time before GPS, when everyone traveled on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. They were important for orientation and were therefore often erected on main roads.

There's a huge new barn at the moment, but unfortunately no vending machines yet...

The search for traces of Saint Maternus, under whose patronage the citizens of Bechen placed their chapel, leads us far back into the beginnings of early Christianity, to the end of the third/beginning of the fourth century. The list of bishops (archbishops) of Cologne, spanning over 1,500 years, begins with his name. His participation in the Synods of Bishops in Rome in 313 and in Arles (France) in 314 is documented. Later legends have described him as a disciple of the Apostle Peter, but the time gap between this and the crucifixion of the Prince of the Apostles (which is dated to around the year 64) is, of course, far too great for this. Joachim Schäfer writes about the Bechen chapel in the ecumenical lexicon of saints: "It was built after the Bechen pastor, Joachim Heußgen, died of the plague in 1631; after the end of the Thirty Years' War, the foundation stone was laid for this chapel in honor of the patron saint against infectious diseases."

The vending machine has been out of service since a fire in the yard in the summer of 2024.

In 1866, the church burned down completely, leaving only the damaged tower standing. The present neo-Gothic church was consecrated in 1878.

The refuge offers the opportunity to take a break whatever the weather. In summer, it's sure to be pleasantly cool here, as a small stream runs right past.

The first mention of a chapel dates back to 1693, when an oak tree was delivered for the chapel, possibly for repairs, and the cost was billed for. The chapel was demolished and construction of the current church began in 1908. Construction was halted after just one month, continued after a year of inactivity in 1909, and completed in 1911. The church was built in the neo-Gothic style as a hall building, but without a distinctive choir. The tower was added in 1913.

The chapel is built of rubble stone that was leveled with a leveling mortar. It has a projecting gable roof and a ridge turret. The small bell was delivered for military use in 1917; a new bell was cast in 1929 and avoided being melted down for World War II. Clean drinking water is essential to prevent illness. Directly to the right of the chapel is an 8 m deep well, formerly protected by a well house, door, and conical roof. The water is so clean that locals said it had healing properties. The reason for building a publicly accessible well here is historical: until the end of the 19th century, an inn with a horse-changing station stood directly opposite the chapel. The drivers of freight wagons on the Cologne-Wipperfürth trade route would rest here and draw water for their animals themselves before enjoying food and drink at the inn. The Maternus Chapel has been a listed building since 2016. Source: https://www.gv-kürten.de/historische-objekte-in-k%C3%BCrten/maternuskapelle-bechen