European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Respite for the traveler by / j 7&Quot / a. A Broad Walkway leads to the main Entrance to the Motorway Church of St. Christopher near Baden Baden West Germany. A amps maps amps photos by Michael Abrams Quot Lead me Back to my family and friends a fam sound and let me always remember that alarm Etc Lead to you.  5 from a Payerle Motorway Church of St. Chris Toby Ron Jensen staff writer it was said during world War if that there were atheists in Foxholes. The same May be True of the left Lane of the we German autobahn. If so the idea of a Church Alon Busy stretch of Highway is a natural one. The Motorway Church of St. Christopher on autobahn 5 just North of Baden Baden opened in 1978. Its purpose is to offer physical and spiritual refreshment to weary travellers. The Church is a place of both worship and Wonc anyone who has visited the magnificent ancient churches and cathedrals of Europe will find this modern version equally fascinating. In years past a Church usually was found in the heart of a town. A traveler would take time out fro his journey to spend time there As a matter of Cou but modern highways built for automobiles replace the Dusty roads travelled by foot and on horseback and these new roads bypassed towns entirely Lea the churches far from the passing wanderers. The Motorway Church puts the House of Worsh Back onto the traveler s path. It is a 65-foot-High Pyramid of stained Glass and Concrete ringed by four Concrete pillars that represent Noah Moses Elijah and John the Baptis if this Church s architecture and artistry seems first less overwhelming than that of its aged Cousin is because its wonder is More Subtle. For instance greeting visitors on the pillar of no is a creature with a car for a head. Emil Wachter to sculptor who designed the churches images desc the design s meaning this Way in a guide to the Church human thinking seeing and hearing have been replaced by the apparatus of Speed and syst of Public communication and information Symbol the modern flood that will someday destroy the world. The headless body stands on car transports it too will someday be whisked away. This unique perspective continues inside. Stain Glass scenes present what one would expect in a Christian Church a the birth of Jesus the last supper the Cruc fiction and the resurrection. But there Are differences. Herod who wanted baby Jesus killed is shown As a much decorated general. The false Prophet is a dictator surrounded his party flags. When the soldiers invade the Garde to arrest Christ they come with torches and a car. Original plans for the construction of the Church began in 1965. The site was provided by the Paris St. Katharine s in Sandmeier a suburb of Baden Baden. Financial problems and other difficulties delayed the Start of construction until october 19 but it was completed less than two years later. In Wachter s guide he explains that the design holds two crosses a the upright Cross of Jesus formed by the four pillars and the Diagonal Cross the disciples formed by the four upright beams the Church s exterior Corners. The Church is always open in the daytime. To mass is held at 11 . On sundays and religious holidays at 10 . On wednesdays and 7 . O thursdays. All denominations however Are Wei to use the Church for prayer and meditation. It is a Busy place located As it is behind a arg area on the autobahn. In one week in april seve Hundred people signed the guest Book. In the prayer Book Many needs were coun e a some Young German visitors wrote Quot we Arey but not too Young to love  to study this Church using Wachter s guide reference provides a visitor with the artist s fascinating perspective on religion and Moder society and How the two Are intertwined. Stripes Magazine june 14, 1990