Pilgrimage sites in Germany– Bergheim

History

The parish church of St. Remigius was consecrated in 1175 by Philipp I von Heinsberg (c. 1130-1191), Archbishop of Cologne (1167-1191). The church is located on the site where a chapel previously stood. Between 1300 and 1400, the nave was enlarged.

In the 15th century, a depiction of a Pietà was found near Bergheim. In 1500, a theft occurred, and a monstrance and hosts disappeared. Desecration was committed by making fun of the hosts. The Pietà was placed next to a cross in the woods near Bergheim. Shortly thereafter, a small, wooden chapel was built at the site where the depiction was found, and it was named Bethlehem. The Pietà, carved from oak, dates from around 1480. In 1598, the plague raged in and around Bergheim, and people died every day. The inhabitants sought refuge with Mary and went to the revered image to pray and ask for help. The epidemic disappeared, and this gave rise to pilgrimages.

In 1622 and 1623, the plague raged in and around Düsseldorf. Residents, including nobles, went to Bergheim to ask the miracle-working image for salvation. The sick also came to the statue of Mary and prayed for healing. Miraculous recoveries occurred.

In 1642, the church was plundered and partially destroyed.

The number of pilgrims is growing, and in the 17th century, a pilgrimage church and a monastery for Franciscans were established. The consecration of the church and monastery took place in 1665. Afterwards, a Calvary was constructed, connecting the monastic church with Bergheim.

Since 1666, the Bergheim Brotherhood from Leverkusen has been organising pilgrimages to Bergheim.

In 1748 the tower collapsed and in 1758 a church was built on the old foundations of the previous church.

Due to de-Christianisation and the French Revolution (1789-1799), the pilgrimage church and monastery were closed in 1802. The miraculous image of the Sorrowful Mother (Pietà) was moved to the parish church of St. Remigius in Bergheim in 1803. In 1873, a Marian chapel with the miraculous image was established in this church, and the image was coloured with paint.

In 1835, Ferdinand Franz Josef von den Bongart (1773-1850), treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire, became the owner of the monastery complex.

In 1899, the sisters from Essen-Werden took over the organisation of the pilgrimage church and convent, and founded a domestic science school, as well as a retreat house and a nursing home.

In 1928, the sacristy was built onto the church.

The church suffered from wartime violence during the Second World War (1939-1945) and restoration followed in the period 1948-1953.

In 1966, the sisters sold the monastery's buildings and grounds to “Rheinische Braukohle AG”. The buildings were demolished in stages due to lignite mining. The church, however, remained, but was in poor condition and threatened with collapse. A temporary church was built in the cemetery. The church was thoroughly renovated between 1989 and 1994, and a new sacristy was added. A new organ was consecrated in 1997.

Pilgrimage site

The parish church dates from the 12th century. The Pietà, which is a devotional image, looks different here than in many other places. Here, Jesus' face is not laid in his Mother's lap, but the body lies at Mary's feet.

The church features stained-glass windows, which also depict Mary. A particularly striking image is the gathering of Mary, her mother Anne, and her Child.

Our Lady of Sorrows Day is 15 September.

Pilgrimages still take place to the icon of grace in the church.

There is parking next to the church.

The church is accessible during services and otherwise has limited opening hours.

ACCESSIBILITY

Bergheim is located in the Rhein-Erft district and belongs to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

St. Remigiuschurch address: Kirchstrasse 45, 50126 Bergheim.

More information can be found at www.katholisch-in-bergheim.de.

Experience

From a great distance, I see the church situated on a plateau. The towers reach high into the sky. What will this visit lead me to experience?

A car park has been built next to the church and there is still plenty of space, as I am very early for mass. The car has chosen a spot and then it's off to church. Unfortunately, the door is still closed, so all that's left is a little walk around the church. As I've almost completed the round, I see a dark statue of Mary standing between the church and the car park. The inscription on the statue reads: “Fern von mir ist mein Tröster”. In Dutch, this means: “My comforter is far from me”.

Just after half past eleven, the door of the church, dedicated to Saint Remigius, opens. This Catholic parish church is a pilgrimage church to Our Lady, where the Eucharist begins at 11:00 am. There is therefore still time to make a tour of the church. I come to a chapel where the Pietà is located; it is a special depiction of Mary and her deceased Son. Jesus is not lying on Mary's lap, but at her feet. This is indeed a rare expression of a Pietà. What a remarkable image of grace!

In the church, I also see a depiction of Anne, her daughter Mary, and grandson Jesus. Anne has an open book on her lap and Jesus is sitting on Mary's thighs.

There are also stained-glass windows here, including images of the Virgin Mary. What a riot of colour!

Next, I pause a little longer at a large image of Our Lady, and then the tour is complete. I take a seat at the back of the church and the service begins.

After mass, I light some candles and pray for friends and good acquaintances. This leads to me being one of the last to leave the church, and a little later the church door is locked again.

Environment

From Brauweiler to Bergheim is 25 km west.
In Brauweiler stands the large complex of the former abbey, with its monastery buildings, garden, and church. The church is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and features depictions of Mary and Nicholas, in particular. In 1024, Benedict VIII, Pope from 1012 to 1024, born Theophylactus of Tusculum (+1024), granted permission to establish a monastery. Ehrenfried III, Ezzo of Lorraine (c. 955-1034), and his wife Mathilde (979-1025), daughter of Emperor Otto II (955-983) and Empress Theophanu (960-991), received permission for this. They founded the Abbey of Brauweiler. No clergy now reside in the abbey, and the building is neatly maintained on the exterior. The Church of Saint Nicholas displays beautiful statues of Mary and a large painting of the Assumption of Mary.
Behind the church is a 2006 Marian chapel with a white Pietà.

Departing from Leverkusen to arrive in Bergheim requires travelling 42 km to the southwest.

Leaving Cologne to get to Bergheim means going 35 km westwards.

Travelling from Dortmund to Bergheim involves covering 120 km to the southwest.

Leaving Dusseldorf to arrive in Bergheim is travelling 46 km southwards.

Travelling from Aachen to Bergheim means covering 59 km eastwards.

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