Haus der Seidenkultur (HdS) had a visit from clerics from Salem Abbey on Lake Constance. Prior Father Johannes Brügger and priest Matthias Schneider came to Krefeld in search of fabrics for priests vestments destined to be worn in the Basilica Birnau, the oldest church of pilgrimage on Lake Constance. 

“Several vestments need restoration and others have to be made completely new”, said Father Brügger, a member of the Cistercian Order. And: “We came across HdS, Hubert Gotzes former weaving factory for ecclesiastical textiles in the internet and it seemed to be a good address.” Point paper designer Günter Göbels showed the guests from Lake Constance a variety of precious brocades which can be seen in the museum but which are not for sale. 

However HdS took advantage of its good contacts to the Dutzenberg Weaving  Factory for Ecclesiastical Textiles, one of the few companies in Germany which still weaves such fabrics. It just took a telephone call and soon the entire delegation sat at the production company opposite Cornelia Gathmann who now runs the company on Frankenring 115 in the fifth generation. 

Therefore the clerics did not need to return to Birnau empty-handed and in future fabrics from Krefeld can also be seen in the most beautiful church of pilgrimage in the Lake Constance region.

Prior Father Johannes Brügger (right) and priest Mathhias Schneider gathering information about ecclesiastical textiles at HdS. In the centre point paper designer Günter Göbels.

HdS Photo: Dieter Brenner