German Altar Vilcey-sur-Trey

Religion remained a strong presence in society at the start of the Great War, reinforced by the daily horrors the soldiers experienced.
To enable the soldiers to receive communion and attend services, altars or chapels were built near the army camps.

The altar is built with three niches, resembling the grotto at Lourdes, probably made of limestone blocks from nearby shelters.
It is suspected that liturgical elements originated from surrounding churches, such as the completely destroyed church of Fey-en-Haye.
The niches contain statues of the Sacred Heart (center), Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus (left), and the Virgin of Lourdes (right), with two cherubs looking at a crucified Christ.
In the forecourt of the altar, the soldiers recreated the Prussian helmet band with the motto "Gott mit Uns" (God with us).

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Source

• Text: Adri Kramer
• Photos: Adri Kramer