St. Pius-Kirche

The Kandel Church of St. Pius is a good example of the churches built in the Diocese of Speyer after World War II. For centuries, Catholics and Protestants shared the old St. George's Church, a so-called "Simultaneum." Since 1684, the smaller choir area was "Catholic," while the nave was "Protestant." As the key authority was in Protestant hands, there were always differences between the two denominations.

After World War II, the number of Catholics in Kandel increased, among other reasons due to the many refugees and displaced persons, allowing the dream to come true: On November 17, 1957, the foundation stone for a separate Catholic church in Kandel was laid, and a year later, on October 19, 1958, the church was consecrated by Bishop Isidor Emanuel. Pope Pius X, who led the church from 1903 to 1914, was chosen as the patron saint. The architect of the new St. Pius Church was Dipl. Ing. Eugen Beuerlein from the Episcopal Building Office in Speyer.

The church space has a square shape and, with its high, almost undecorated walls and the high-placed, smaller square windows, resembles the style of medieval Cistercian monasteries. The interior is designed to be simple and graceful, directing the gaze towards the altar. After the last interior renovation in 2009, it appears bright and welcoming. Due to its orientation towards the choir area with its altar, the church also has little architectural embellishment: several figures of saints are attached to the walls, on the east side a statue of Mary and a modern Stations of the Cross by the Karlsruhe sculptor Frido Lehr. Especially the large bronze Pope Pius X., fixed to the choir wall, immediately catches the visitor's eye. It is a copper-cast relief by the Munich artist Werner Schreiner.

The church appears bright and inviting, simple yet friendly.

Opening times

If you are interested in visiting St. Pius Church, please contact the parish office.

Catholic Parish Office
Holy Fourteen Helpers
Goethestr. 11
76870 Kandel
Tel.     07275/1239
Fax     07275/94247
E-Mail

Office hours

• Monday/Thursday/Friday
  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Wednesday
  1:30 PM to 4:30 PM