October 02 - Kirchweihmarkt -
'Kirchweih market' © Stefan Jäger

The word Kirchweih, means; Kirch = church; weih = bless, or concentrating.  When the construction of a church was finished, church services were being held as soon as possible.  Eventually a church was always blessed or concentrated by the bishop.  Some times, it took several years before the bishop had the time to go from village to village to bless or concentrate the church.  Usually this festival took place during the fall.  The church was always blessed on the week end.  If a church was bless say, on Sunday, October 15, 1850. In 1853, October 15th, would be on Wednesday.  The celebration would be held the following Sunday.  Every week end a Kirchweih was celebrated in a different village, in their own Diocese.  It became an annual festival, the whole community was involved in the festivities. (Alex Leeb)