Welcome to our parish community

Baumholder and the surrounding area is home to a large international community. Very often this has to do with the United States Army installation in Baumholder which has been with us for many decades. US soldiers, government employees and their families regularly stay in the area for a shorter or longer period of time.

Our parish maintains a close relationship with the military chaplains and chapel communities on post. We happily share our services and facilities with our neighbours from overseas. At certain occasions we invite the American and German communities to celebrate together. In recent years we have shared Thanksgiving, the feast of Saint Martin (11 November) and Christmas with combined bilingual services.

For current information on Mass times and other services, please see our "Pfarrbrief" (parish newsletter, link provided on the pull-down menu). You can also check out our Facebook page, or email us at frmatthias (at) naheheidewestrich.de

We hope you will enjoy your stay in Baumholder. We would love to be part of your European tour. Please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Father Matthias Schmitz

Churches and Services

Baumholder is part of a cluster of seven Catholic churches and chapels. Therefore, the schedule is rather variable. Please refer to our bulletin (Pfarrbrief) for mass times and places. Please find "Pfarrbriefe" on the pull-down menu.

Some frequently occuring German words in our bulletin are:

Messfeier - mass

Eucharistie - Eucharist

Wort-Gottes-Feier - Word and Communion service, led by lay minister

Places

Some locations are quite obvious, because the Catholic church is the only church in town: Heimbach, Weiersbach, Rückweiler.

In Baumholder, the Catholic church is adjacent to the protestant church. Ours is the one with the separate bell tower.

In Ruschberg, the Catholic church is of Haupstrasse. When you get to Ruschberg from Baumholder, take the first left.

In Hoppstädten, the Catholic chapel is in the town center on Hauptstrasse.

In (Hoppstädten-)Weiersbach the church is located "In Bleiderdingen". It's across the railroad crossing. As you approach you can't miss it.

"Sankt Anna" is the Catholic nursing home in Hoppstädten-Weiersbach. It's about 8mi from Baumholder. Cross the railway crossing and take the second turn left. The chapel is open to the public. Enter through the main entrance, turn right, and it's the first door on the right.

Any questions? Please email us : baumholder (at) naheheidewestrich.de

Baptismal records and enquiries

During the last decades, many Americans have received sacraments at our church. To obtain baptismal certificates or to infrom us about sacraments, please get in touch with our parish office, preferably in writing:

• Kirchstrasse 8, 55774 Baumholder, Germany
• baumholder (at) naheheidewestrich.de

Sacraments celebrated in the US Army military chapel are not recorded in our parish. Please refer to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Washington DC.

The American Military Catholic Community of Baumholder, Germany

Smith Barracks, Rheinland Chapel, Building 8249

Pastor: Fr. Uzoma Uwakwe

Contact information

Office: Building 8335, Room 4

DSN 485-7067/1570

uzomafr (at) yahoo.it

Visiting Priest: Fr. Matthias Schmitz

Priest, in residence at St Simon and St Jude in Baumholder

Contact information: frmatthias (at) naheheidewestrich.de

Mass Schedule:

Sunday Mass: 0900

Daily Mass: Monday to Friday 1200 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (except training / federal holidays and 1st Wednesday of the month)

Confession: Before Mass or by appointment

Baptism and Marriage:

Please contact the chaplain for instructions before setting dates.

Please get marriages recognized in the church before receiving communion or any other sacraments.

Hospitality Area for parents with small children during Mass:

The Mass is a sacred time for all to worship, and the environment should be one of reverence, reserve, and respect. We are delighted to announce that the Hospitality Area is clean up and ready to welcome parents with small children who may find it difficult to remain quiet during the Mass. If you or others are distracted by your children, please take advantage of this warm and welcoming area downstairs. Your children can play in our fully-equipped playroom, and you can watch and hear our Mass on the large screen TV, which is pre-tuned to the Mass upstairs. Thank you for being understanding.

To reach the American Catholic Community contact their Facebook group.

Archdiocese for the Military Services