Ludger Pawlik concludes his duties, finding a moment for the Lord's Prayer before departure
St. Cyriakus Church Bids Farewell to Sexton Ludger Pawlak
In the heart of Bottrop, Germany, the historic St. Cyriakus Church is preparing for a significant change. On Sunday, August 31, the community will bid farewell to Ludger Pawlak, who has served as sexton for the past 30 years.
Ludger Pawlak's dedication to St. Cyriakus has been unwavering. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Pawlak has ensured that every service runs smoothly, from preparing and following up on services, to locking and unlocking the church, and even placing orders for candles or hosts.
Pawlak has also taken on the role of a historian, guiding visitor groups through the church's hallowed halls, sharing stories of its rich history and the hidden details that make St. Cyriakus so unique. One of his favourite features is the late Gothic carved altar, believed to have been created around 1490, during the time of Albrecht Dürer.
The altar, with its valuable altar retable, is a significant example of religious art and craftsmanship from the late medieval period. It serves as the focal point for liturgical worship in the church, and its intricate scenes often depict biblical stories, saints, or the Passion of Christ.
Pawlak's passion for the church extends beyond his duties as sexton. He finds working in the church to be more than just a job, as it allows him to immerse himself in art, architecture, music, and history. In fact, he enjoys training altar servers and plans to join the circle of church wardens after his retirement.
As Pawlak prepares to step down, he will be welcomed with a service and a small celebration on Sunday, September 28, at 6 pm in St. Cyriakus. His successor, Lars Meyer, is known in the parish as the leader of the Word of God service in the weekly midday prayer, as well as a lector or communion helper.
Pawlak, who is 64 years old, is looking forward to being able to attend family celebrations in the future without having to work in the church. He found a job advertisement for a sexton position at St. Cyriakus and applied for it, marking the beginning of his unusual schedule as a sexton, working on weekends, church holidays, Easter, and Christmas.
The late Gothic carved altar and its retable in St. Cyriakus Church stand as an important historical and artistic monument, embodying the spiritual, cultural, and artistic life of late medieval Bottrop. As Pawlak bids farewell, the community looks forward to preserving and celebrating this heritage for generations to come.
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