St. Antonius Abbot

MOTORWAY AND PEASANTRY CHAPEL

History of origins:

Since 1998, St. Antonius has been available to people who are on the road as a motorway chapel. As the oldest historical building in the town of Gescher, this church served in the Middle Ages primarily for people who had to stay in a sick or epidemic facility (leprosarium). An opening in the wall in the eastern gable, which is called the hagioscope (Holy Window), bears witness to such a social institution. People who fell ill with leprosy were excluded from the village and city community and separated (lepers) to combat the risk of infection. They had to live in the countryside in wooden huts in cemeteries. Through the hagioscope, they were able to participate in the divine services from the outside. The water supply from the nearby Berkel River was indispensable, as was the location on a trade route that formerly led from Münster-Coesfeld-Zutphen (NL) – along the Berkel – to Deventer (NL).

GPS Biker