Rißegg-Rindenmoos Beaver Trail

Value creation and respect for nature, a down-to-earth approach, and bold innovation are the hallmarks of the future. Biberach an der Riss, the region’s major county seat, is constantly setting new trends under the motto “small.strong.Upper Swabian.” At the same time, changes in agriculture are giving more and more people the opportunity to make this their home.

New development areas offer rural living with easy access to the city.

Rißegg-Rindenmoos, with its current population of around 2,500, is the largest of Biberach’s four districts. Rißegg was first mentioned in a document in 1128 as “Rüsseck.” The coat of arms depicts a black bear standing upright in gold, with red claws and a red tongue; in its right forepaw, it holds a red lily stem with roots.

In 2022, the village community center, with a construction cost of around 4 million euros, was opened. The community center in Rißegg and the old school in Rindenmoos are charming expressions of the vibrancy of village life. The circular hiking trail, launched as part of the 2023 Homecoming Days, is intended to highlight the diversity of the village and the scenic beauty of the area. Information boards along the trail accompany you on this exploration.

With its patron saint, Gallus, Rißegg recalls the earliest days of Upper Swabian history. The Catholic priests of Biberach fled here when they were driven out of the town by the Zwinglian Reformation. Here, within their own parish but under an independent local lord, they waited for better times, which eventually returned.

The church’s history dates back to the 12th century. In 1129, the building was first mentioned as the seat of the local nobility of Rusegg. At that time, Rißegg belonged to the Warthausen domain, but as early as 1353 it was referred to as a “filial of Biberach” and came under the jurisdiction of the Biberach church council in 1493. In the 15th century, the church was first referred to as the “Catholic Chapel of St. Gall.” The church was restored in 1882, rebuilt and expanded in 1938–39, and renovated inside in 1977–78, 1993–94, and 2015, as well as on the exterior in 1992.

Choir stalls: 15th century, with exquisite, naturalistic, flat leaf ornamentation Wooden sculpture: Saint Nicholas, late 15th century

Relief of the Nativity: (according to Probst’s description, belonging to the four Passion reliefs on the high altar in Mettenberg) early 16th century

Wooden sculpture: Christ Resurrected; 18th century.

Hanging crucifix in the choir arch: 18th century.

Pietà in the vestibule: 18th century.

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The church is named after Saint Gallus, an Irish itinerant monk and missionary who, around 600 AD, worked primarily in the Lake Constance region and founded the first Christian communities. According to legend, Saint Gallus, who lived as a hermit in the forest, had his bread stolen by a wild bear. Through the saint’s prayer, the wild animal suddenly became as gentle as a lamb. In one version of the legend, it also brought wood for the fire. In gratitude for this service, Gallus gave the grumbling wood carrier a loaf of bread.

That is why Saint Gallus is always depicted with a bear.

The altar features a corresponding wooden figure from the 19th century, as well as a depiction on the window in the sanctuary.

The patron saint’s day is October 16 and is celebrated each year with a festive service. A chapel likely stood in Rißegg as early as 1353; it was renovated around 1469 and consecrated to Saint Gallus in 1544; Masses had been celebrated there weekly since 1405. The choir and tower were built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. In 1517, during the Reformation, there were no longer any services at St. Martin’s in Biberach. Thus, during this time, the Blessed Sacrament (the host consecrated as the Body of Christ, kept in the tabernacle) was brought to St. Gallus.

The displaced pastor, Johannes Keff, took up residence in Rißegg.

On October 16, 1853, a solemn High Mass was celebrated to mark the decision that the Blessed Sacrament might remain in Rißegg with the approval of the Bishop of Rottenburg. At the beginning of 1905, the parish of Rißegg approached the church painter Bonifaz Locher (1858–1916) with a request to paint a ceiling mural for their church. Locher proposed the Sermon on the Mount, as he had already been commissioned to depict this scene in a larger church.

Following the three medallions he painted in the choir loft in Rißegg in 1882 as his debut work, he painted the ceiling mural in 1906; it cost the parish a modest 1,200 marks. The oak high altar was crafted around 1910. In 1938–39, an extension with a gallery was added. The last major exterior renovation took place about 30 years ago, and the last interior renovation in 2015.

In 1934, the community received its own cemetery, which is owned by the city. Due to the unique soil conditions, burials can now only take place in existing family plots; for this reason, a separate burial section was later established at the city cemetery. According to the 1885 census, 290 residents of Rißegg were Catholic and none were Protestant. Today, of course, things are different, and the Protestant Christians of Rißegg and Rindenmoos belong to the parish of the Versöhnungskirche in Ummendorf. For about 30 years, the Protestant Christians held a monthly service in the Catholic St. Gallus Church until this practice was discontinued in the 2010s. The Rißegger Sichelhenke is traditionally celebrated with an ecumenical service, as are the services marking the start of the school year.

Catholic Parish

The St. Gallus parish encompasses the two neighborhoods of Rißegg and Rindenmoos. Services are held three times a month at 9:30 a.m. in St. Gallus Parish Church and are announced weekly in the official gazette. The parish council consists of six elected members, as well as the pastor, who serves as chair by virtue of his office, and the church administrator. Public meetings are held every two months in the village community center, which includes dedicated church spaces. The parish thrives on community, offering activities for all ages. All groups and communities welcome new members and invite everyone to participate, contribute ideas, and get involved. There is a family worship team, a parent-child group, a large group of altar servers, and a choir.

For the slightly older members of the community, there is a monthly senior citizens’ afternoon, a gymnastics group, and the 50+ group, which organizes group hikes and excursions.

Current events are published in the parish bulletin. For more information on dates, times, and contact persons, please contact the parish offices or visit the website:

https://se-biberach.drs.de/uns...