Mole Church [DE] 2024

According to the records I’ve found this “Church of the Redeemer” which was built between 1897 and 1899. Unfortunately, there is no information as to when the church ceased to in use.



Explore:

The church is right in the middle of lots of properties, so it took us a few laps of the village to ascertain our route of entry. This unfortunately highlighted our presence to the locals. The only access option was in full view of houses which had their windows open with people enjoying the summer day. We just had to do it, and do it with confidence that made us look like we were supposed to be there.



Arriving at the church was a relief, not so much from the locals, but from the searing sunshine. It was getting close to 40 degrees outside, but crossing the threshold I was rewarded with an instant coolness radiating off of the old stonework.

That said this church would have been a toasty place in winter as the sides were lined with beautiful cast iron stove heaters.



























Future:

In 2002, the Protestant parish applied for the demolition of the church, which was already in a dilapidated state. Nevertheless, well over 20 years after the application, it is still standing, possibly in a very similar condition to what it was then.




It seemed a lot smaller on the way out…



Thanks for reading.

You had me wondering where it was to start with till I noticed the inscription around the chancel arch was in what looked like German. A beautiful set of photo of the church, over here it would be in a terrible state with pikies and metal miners stealing what ever was not nailed down and the chaves trashing the place., mind you someone would have converted it here to a house.

Translated the inscription around the chancel arch.
"I am the way the truth and the life"

night crawler said:

You had me wondering where it was to start with till I noticed the inscription around the chancel arch was in what looked like German. A beautiful set of photo of the church, over here it would be in a terrible state with pikies and metal miners stealing what ever was not nailed down and the chaves trashing the place., mind you someone would have converted it here to a house.

Click to expand...

Yes: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". But why in German in 1897-99? Perhaps some German Protestant missionaries. And who was Albert Gerard (spelling?) born 1846? The first vicar/priest? Knowing the anti-German feelings in the UK during both World Wars, it is surprising the inscription was not painted over. What looks to be the music and words for a hymn or psalm - the piece of paper on the shelf of one of the pews - is also in old German.