On September 16–17, 2023, Haus Wittelsbach, an Adventist retirement home in Bad Aibling, Germany, celebrated both its 70th anniversary and the completion of five years of renovation and expansion under the motto “One Day—One Place—Three Open Doors.” In his greeting, director Dr. Thomas spoke of the “flagship and jewel for the town.”
A weekend with a festive ceremony/service and an open house period attracted many visitors to the grounds of the senior citizens’ home, which is run by the Advent Welfare Organization (AWW, the social work branch of the Seventh-day Adventist Church). The church hall of the Adventist congregation, located on the premises, was filled to capacity on Sabbath afternoon for the anniversary service. Many other activities took place until late Sunday evening.
History
Haus Wittelsbach has borne its name for over 150 years. This goes back to a “gentleman’s agreement” between the incumbent and previous owners, when the building was sold in 1920, says Andreas Heuck, home director, in his historical review. In 1873, entrepreneur Josef Pentenrieder had named the completed building “Chur-Haus-Wittelsbach” in honor of the Bavarian royal family. Later, the German Adventist Association for Health Care (DVG) acquired the house. This association had already established two health centers in the north with a sanatorium in Friedensau, near Magdeburg, and a hospital in Berlin.
Until 1922, Haus Wittelsbach served as a spa and bathing facility. This was followed by…
