About us
History
This is how it all began …
11th September 1944 – no native of Darmstadt will ever forget the night when an air raid left our town in ruins – with over 12,000 dead.
and Erika Madauss (later Mother Martyria) had been praying for years for a revivalamongst the young people in their Bible study groups.
...and half hearted discipleship, the young Bible class members realized this was life or death, all or nothing.
As they began to confess what they now recognized as sin in their lives, they had a totally new experience ...
on 30th March 1947, the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary was founded in Mother Basilea's parents' home in Darmstadt.
... their own land, a donated piece of property that was still barren but would later become the "little land of Kanaan".
... a Chapel where He would receive honour and worship. As a confirmation, they received the following Scripture verse:
"Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8) – written on the monument at the entrance built with bricks salvaged from the ruins.
But how to build with only 30 DM (approx. 15 Dollars) as starting capital? There was no way to employ a building company!
A member of the city council suggested putting some of the ruined houses at the Sisters' disposal, and they gratefully accepted the offer.
It was a steep learning curve where their faith was often severely tested – and there were plenty of opportunities to practise reconciliation in every day life ...
... such as when another sister, unused to hard work, caused the very heavy tipping wagon to jump the rails... Saying "I'm sorry!" became the key for renewed blessing on their work.
The banner at the entrance is a testimony that it was "built alone with the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth ...".