Old gentlemen remain without ivy: the future of the vicarage in Niederdorf is uncertain

Old gentlemen remain without ivy: the future of the vicarage in Niederdorf is uncertain

In Niederdorf, a charming village in the Lower Allgäu, there is a historic building that has been almost forgotten for years in the shadow of being unused and overgrown: the Old Rectory. Located right next to the Catholic parish church of St. Cyriakus, the building, built in 1894, was most recently used as a residence, but since the death of the last resident, Gottlieb Hengeler, in 1980, it has looked like a relic from another time.

A few days ago an unexpected event occurred; The lush ivy hedge on the west facade has completely come loose and formed two large rolls that are now lying on the ground. This defoliation of the old rectory could be a sign of the upcoming renovation work, which has been under discussion for a long time. In recent years, the basement has been affected by moisture, which makes renovation particularly challenging.

A building with a past

The Old Vicarage has an eventful history. The upper floor was previously rented to the Gansbihler family in the 1960s, while temporary parish priests stayed in the basement during high holidays. The church utensils and club flags also found their place there. In 2012, the political community of Wolfertschwenden acquired the empty building with the adjacent parish garden. Since then, various ideas for its use have been developed, but the final decision is still pending.

The former mayor Karl Fleschhut, for example, had expressed the intention to set up a local history museum. But this idea failed due to resistance from the local council. In 2021, the municipality turned to Augsburg University of Applied Sciences for suggestions for subsequent use, which received a positive response from members of the municipal council. But no concrete steps have been taken so far. The local history association has also expressed interest in the future use of the rectory, but has remained little active with the political community in recent years.

Sustainable perspectives for historic buildings

The debate about the future of the Old Vicarage raises the question of how sustainable renovation opportunities can be used to preserve the cultural heritage. A sustainable renovation of historical buildings, as discussed in the discussion about the vicarage, is of great importance for modern urban development. Through inventive measures, cultural aspects could be preserved, resources conserved and energy efficiency improved, which is also reflected in the writings of GoSolar is impressively presented. The inseparable connection between monument protection and ecological standards is emphasized.

The German Foundation for Monument Protection is aware of this challenge. Monument protection is often perceived negatively and is seen as an obstacle to sustainable urban development. But it is precisely here that the preservation of historical substances, as in the case of the Old Rectory, could contribute to solving many ecological problems. The preservation of such buildings could be viewed as “sustainability in action” and shows the importance of combining tradition with innovation, as in Monument Protection Foundation is highlighted.

The Old Vicarage in Niederdorf has the potential to become an important part of the village community if only the appropriate steps are taken to renovate and use it. It remains to be seen whether the way there will be through a local museum or some other use. One thing is certain, however: the future of the rectory is far from decided and, if handled correctly, could become an enrichment for the community.