Development History

Further pictures of the development history

9 October 1949 – 31 October 1952 Apparition period

Construction of the Chapel of Grace, of the podium with the statue of the Rose Queen, and of further altars.

4 January 1953 Founding of the Pilgrimage Association (Pilgerverein Heroldsbach e.V.)

After the apparition period, Norbert Langhojer, as representative of the Pilgrimage Association, is the leaseholder of the central grounds of the apparition site. First structural extension: two small glass roofs to the right and left of the podium as weather protection for those praying. In the further course, erection of the „mystical Way of the Cross“, the „Altar of the Saints“, the „Altar of the Angels“ and the large bronze statue of the Rose Queen, and development of the „source of grace“

The 1970s

Construction of the Pilgerheim on the edge of the apparition grounds, with pilgrims‘ kitchen, pilgrims‘ hall, dormitories and sanitary facilities.

The 1980s

Addition of the glass church to the Chapel of Grace, initiated by Mrs A. Biegansky, a prayer leader of many years, on what was until then the only plot of the extensive apparition grounds which — thanks be to him — its then owner, Josef Heilmann, had made available to the Mother of God and to the pilgrims ever since the apparition period.

At about the same time the Pilgrimage Association succeeds in acquiring another, directly adjoining plot in the central area of the apparition grounds. On it, from 1985 onwards, the Association builds the pilgrimage church under the direction of its chairman, Norbert Langhojer. Since the church can be financed exclusively from contributions and donations, the interior work extends over a period of 20 years. At first the pilgrims sit praying on provisional folding benches in the bare shell of the nave. Only the sanctuary had been completed. With great effort and sacrifice, and against much resistance, the great work nevertheless increasingly takes shape.

1996/97

The then parish priest of Heroldsbach, Josef Kraus, holds first talks on the establishment of a church-run Place of Prayer (Gebetsstätte) with the Heilmann/Eisen family, owners of the upper „mountain ground“. A newly appointed archiepiscopal commission subsequently holds talks in the rectory. The representative of the Pilgrimage Association, Mr Christoph Langhojer, then also takes part in these. After clarification of modalities and questions of detail, both landowners agree to bring their properties into the Catholic foundation „Gebetsstätte Heroldsbach“.

1 May 1998

Official establishment of the „Gebetsstätte Heroldsbach“ (the Place of Prayer of Heroldsbach) by the Archbishop of Bamberg, Dr Karl Braun. Appointment of the foundation council with seven members. The Reverend Father Dietrich von Stockhausen (Brothers of the Common Life – Canons Regular of St Augustine) takes over the direction.

13 May 1998

Dedication of the Place of Prayer of Heroldsbach with its two churches by Auxiliary Bishop Werner Radspieler.

1998 – 2008

Conversion and completion of the various buildings with subsidies from the Archdiocese of Bamberg. 
Construction of the car park by the Pilgrimage Association. 
Construction of the outdoor altar in front of the podium. Special thanks at this point to the caretaker of the Place of Prayer, Mr Armin Büttner, for his outstanding commitment, and to all voluntary helpers!

October 2008 – October 2009

Signature campaign of the Pilgrimage Association for the reopening of the examination procedure concerning the supernatural character of the apparitions of Heroldsbach in the 60th anniversary year. Almost 17,000 pilgrims supported this petition with their signature; it was forwarded to the Archbishop of Bamberg and to the Holy Father in October 2009.

2010 – 2011

Renovation of the „mystical Way of the Cross„, redesign of the forecourt of the Marienkirche, and erection of the new large bronze statue of St Joseph by the Pilgrimage Association.

2012

Production and subsequent mounting of the new bronze Madonna of the Rose Queen on the large metal cross in front of the outdoor altar at the Rosary Church. Costs borne by the Pilgrimage Association.

2013

Building work at the birch grove, the place of the first apparition of the Mother of God of Heroldsbach on 9 October 1949. Creation of a granite base and installation of the time-honoured copper shrine with the statue of the Mother of God in the form of the apparition as the Immaculata (Immaculate Conception, as she was first perceived by the visionary children of that time). Completion and dedication in August, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, by Father Dietrich von Stockhausen.

2019

On 15 June 2019, on the 14th Day of Prayer of the Rose Queen, a piece of the Berlin Wall was unveiled at the Marienkirche. The first chairman of the Pilgrimage Association, Mr Christoph Langhojer, spoke the introductory words, and the blessing was performed by Father Dietrich von Stockhausen CRVC.Video