Werbach (dpa/lsw) – In the future, Catholic churchgoers in Wenkheim (Main-Tauber-Kreis) should be able to get through the cold of winter warm and a bit cuddly. With new battery seat cushions for the pews and heating panels in the sanctuary of St. Marien, the Archdiocese of Freiburg wants to take another, albeit small, step on the way to the announced climate neutrality by 2030. The seat cushions are to be stored and charged at the entrance to the church. “Visitors can then take a seat cushion in addition to the hymn book and return it after the service,” says Arno Würzberger, building manager of the archdiocese.
The church, which is difficult to heat with its high ceiling and poor insulation, is warmed up in a more targeted manner thanks to the seat cushions and panels. “It’s a village church that’s only used a few times a week,” explains Würzberger. “We use the energy there for two hours and not for a week.” St. Mary’s was chosen for the pilot project because the heating system in the church was showing its age. “There had to be a solution and now there are 72 pillows and no new, expensive heating,” said the building manager. The first pillows will be delivered on Thursday.
The conversion has nothing to do directly with the energy crisis. “But during this time, our decision is easier to convey to everyone,” hopes Würzberger.
