Irmenach

Irmenach in the Hunsrück is a municipality in the district of Bernkastel -Wittlich, in Rhineland -Palatinate. It belongs to the municipality of Traben- Trarbach and consists of the two districts Irmenach and Beuren, which are only about a kilometer apart.

History

The origins of the two places Irmenach and Beuren are in the dark. Even in Roman times, a settlement of the area is demonstrated. Following an old tradition, one has the local name Irmenach often attributed to the Holy Irmina, but this is hardly probable. It is possible that the name of " Herminiachus " (= " Hofgut of Herminius " ) is derived from, and it would be at a Herminius make Celts, who had Latinized his name.

For centuries formed Irmenach with Beuren and now part of Kleinich Thalkleinich a unit, the so-called " greater community Irmenach ". It was not until 1828, the relations between Irmenach / Beuren and Thalkleinich were finally dissolved.

Irmenach belonged to the Rear County of Sponheim and so shared their story. In particular, from the 17th century, the proximity to Grevenburg has often had occupation by hostile armies consequence, under which the people had suffered much.

In the division of the Rear County of Sponheim 1776 Irmenach came as the entire upper office Trarbach on Palatinate -Zweibrücken - Birkenfeld, and the county eventually ceased to exist with the French conquest in 1794. From 1815 Irmenach then belonged to Prussia and came to the mayor's Sohren (1927 renamed the Office Sohren, 1939 renamed Office Büchenbeuren ) in the newly formed district of Zell. After its dissolution in 1969 Irmenach belonged for a short time to the Rhein- Hunsrück-Kreis. In 1970, the municipality Büchenbeuren resolved and should rise overall in the municipality Kirchberg, it could pass through the two municipal councils of Irmenach and Beuren that they were incorporated with effect from November 7, 1970 the newly formed community association Traben -Trarbach in the district Bernkastel -Wittlich.

By decision of the district government Trier on 30 October 1974, the formerly independent communities Irmenach and Beuren were resolved on 1 December 1974 and summarized the new community Irmenach. This is, however, not been able to get the double names used by almost all local associations " Irmenach -Beuren " as a community name.

Church

At least since the 14th century, but probably even sooner, there was Irmenach in a church or in a chapel Beuren - had to contribute their entertainment the inhabitants Thal small ego, even if it their religious needs in just a few hundred meters away Kleinicher breastfeeding. At least for the year 1351, for Irmenach a priest testifies in 1413 a priest.

In 1557 the Reformation was introduced in Irmenach as in the entire county. Since then Irmenach Evangelical ( Lutheran) is marked. Nevertheless, it has probably always been some families that were Kurtrierische serfs and thus remained Catholic, although - unlike in other communities - never a Simultaneum was enforced in the church. Only in recent times, the proportion of the Catholic population has increased by influx lot.

The Irmenacher church was probably originally a Peter Church, although probably told a former village tradition of the church was dedicated to the " Holy Irmel " or there were at least one of the saints Irmina been consecrated altar. In any case, seem to have taken place pilgrimages to Irmenacher church. Of the older church buildings only the lowest part of the tower is well preserved, probably dates from around 1200, while tower and ship is more recent. But to this day are the old bells ( sound example? / I ) from the years 1423, 1514 ( cast by Hans von Breisig ) and 1555 ( cast by Johann von Trier).

In the years 1871/72, a new nave was built in Irmenach since the previous church had become too small for the congregation. This was preceded by a bitter dispute between the two areas, as its Beuren were of the opinion, a new church had to be done in their village. Demolition of the old church were undoubtedly numerous existing paintings, and paintings, as they are about still existing in Lötzbeuren or Raversbeuren lost. But has been preserved historic silent organ from 1776.

The Beuren chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony, she is the earliest date back to the 13th century. In the chapel was in pre-Reformation time an image of the saint, to the pilgrimages are also attested. From the chapel, the tower is only obtained because the ship was torn down in 1950 because of alleged disrepair.

From 1979 to 2011, the parishes Irmenach, Lötzbeuren and Raversbeuren parish were officially connected, the year 2012 they merged to church Irmenach - Lötzbeuren - Raversbeuren. The seat of the parish office is in Lötzbeuren. The church belongs to the parish of simmering -Trarbach.

Parish council

The local council in Irmenach consists of twelve council members, who were elected at the municipal election held on 7 June 2009 in a proportional representation, and the honorary mayor as chairman.

Allocation of seats in the elected municipal council:

Economy

Since ancient times, agriculture was the main industry. Irmenach and Beuren were long considered the richest farming villages of the Hunsrück. Following the general trend - - Once there were many small farms are smallholdings to the 1980s, the number of farms is now dwindled to a handful.

Apart from agriculture, long time slate mining was carried out. In the Irmenacher area there are numerous slate mines, some of which have existed in the 17th century. So Johann Hofmann writes in 1669: " In those Gebürgen are requesting has it even much slate quarries / worvon the inhabitants of the land have almost as large income / as perhaps others may not receive from their fertile fields ." According to the local tradition Irmenacher slate has been used, inter alia, the construction of the Reichstag in Berlin and at the Brussels Cathedral. In the late 1960s closed the last slate quarry, since the reduction was no longer profitable.

The largest employer in the postwar period was based in Irmenach Hans Kirst who manufactures horse stalls stables today.

Important economic factor of the whole region is, however, still Hahn Airport.

Clubs

In Irmenach has an active social life. In addition to the volunteer fire department and many local clubs, there is a gymnastic and sport club Irmenach -Beuren eV (founded in 1913), which forms the very successful handball game community Irmenach - Kleinich - HORBUCH together with the TuS Kleinich and TuS Horbruch and several years in the Regional played.

Personalities

Born in Irmenach

• Friedrich Karl Ströher, painter, printmaker and sculptor, an important artist of the Hunsrück
• Karl Georg Marhoffer, pastor and Konsistorialpräsident the Protestant Reformed Church of Luxembourg

Connected with Irmenach

• Henry Rodewald, Lic theol., Pastors, church Provincial Archivist, author of numerous writings on the history of Irmenach and the Rear County of Sponheim
• Clärenore Stinnes, the first man to circumnavigate the world with a car
• Jacob Kneip, poet, wrote in his novel Irmenach Hampit the hunter
• Chuck Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier

Attractions

• Evangelical Church in Irmenach with Stumm organ
• Tower of the Protestant chapel in Beuren
• Roman Villa and Roman grave