Moving experience for German church

Updated 11.11 Fri Nov 02 2007

Keywords: Germany, church

A village in Germany has successfully managed to save its church from demolition by picking it up and moving it elsewhere.

A court ruling in 2005 ordered the 300 residents of Heuersdorf to move out of their homes so that miners could access the coal beneath their houses.

"The transport is fascinating. I used to do volunteer work in the church and I often went to church there. It's very moving, the whole thing really affects you" - Helga Mueller

But the villagers were determined to take their 700-year-old church with them, so mining company Mibrag hoisted it onto a motorised platform and transported the 1,000 tonne structure to neighbouring Borna.

One former resident was moved by the mammoth task which took a week to complete.

Helga Mueller said: "The transport is fascinating. I used to do volunteer work in the church and I often went to church there. It's very moving, the whole thing really affects you."

The Emmaus church has now been placed next to Borna's existing church, complete with its bells and alter.