Schleswig-Holstein celebrates the first motorway church: St. Vicelin in Oldenburg!

Schleswig-Holstein celebrates the first motorway church: St. Vicelin in Oldenburg!

in Schleswig-Holstein there is now a very special place for travelers: The Catholic St. Vicelin Church in Oldenburg in Holstein was officially appointed the first motorway church in the state. This opening, which was celebrated for the 2025 holiday season, not only offers a quiet place to pause, but is aimed at holidaymakers, grumbling drivers and locals who want to take a break on their travels. As early as July 17, 2025, the striking blue and white signs on the A1 motorway were set up in both directions to point out this new starting point. Transport and tourism minister Claus Ruhe Madsen visited the church on this day and had Hubertus Lürbke, the pastoral director, informed about the above offers, including the possibility of candlestick inflammation and a place of reflection- a real "rest for the soul".

The St. Vicelin Church itself has an impressive story. The foundation stone was on December 8, 1962, and the inauguration followed two years later, 1964. The architectural masterpiece by Josef Feldwisch-Drentrup has space for up to 250 people. The 24 -meter -high, free -standing bell tower is already visible from the highway and gives the church a striking character. Strong colors were used for the interior design, which lead to a special light game in the interior through the ancient glass windows of the church. The Statue of the Vicelin, donated on the occasion of its 850th anniversary of death in 2004, rounds off the artistic offer. It is a replica of the Vicelin statue from the St. Petri Church in Bosau and was designed by Volker Lang from Hamburg.

a place of reflection for everyone

The idea of using the St. Vicelin Church as a motorway church for travelers is no coincidence. Autobahnkirchen in Germany act as places of contemplation and prayer along the traffic routes. They are integral components of a movement that combines Christian spirituality with the need for mobility of people. Since the first inauguration of a motorway church in Germany in 1958 in Adelsried, Bavaria, they have become more important. There are currently 44 motorway churches and chapels in Germany, often near rest of rest with everything travelers need.

These churches are not only open to people of a certain community of faith, but are welcome travelers of all denominations. They offer space for individual reflection, services and even cultural events. It is particularly gratifying that many churches provide “request books” for visitors where thoughts and prayers can be recorded. The opening times are usually from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with some churches open around the clock.

Schleswig-Holstein's first motorway church, the St. Vicelin Church, becomes not only a point of contact for travelers, but also a contemporary expression of Christian connection in the area. For locals and holidaymakers, there is now the opportunity to pause and let your mind wander - regardless of whether you are on the way to the next destination or just want to come to rest. A clever step in a world that is often too hectic.

For more information about the St. Vicelin Church and its offers, interested parties can visit the pages of the Archdiocese of Hamburg: ErzbiStum Hamburg href = "https://www.autobahnkirche.de/abk/autobahnkirchen/45_a1_st_vicelin_oldenburg_in_holstein.html"> autobahnkirche.de . Also a look at Kuladig could be exciting to learn more about this special place.