Scheiblers' Family Chapel

The Scheiblers' Family Chapel, a grave chapel of the Scheibler family at the Old Evangelical-Augsburg Cemetery on Ogrodowa Street 43, is a neo-Gothic structure built between 1885 and 1888. It contains the remains of Karol Scheibler, creator of Łódź's industrial empire, his sons and wife. The building is cared for by the Foundation for the Rescue of Karol Scheibler's Chapel.

Architecture of the mausoleum

The chapel was constructed between 1885 and 1888 according to a design by architects Edward Lilpop and Józef Pius Dziekoński. It was consecrated on 1 September 1888. The building represents neo-Gothic style with floor dimensions of approximately 25 by 13.5 metres and a tower measuring 37 metres in height. The chapel is considered one of the greatest works of cemetery architecture in the world.

History of the Scheibler family

In the crypt lie Karol Scheibler (1820-1881), founder of the Łódź industrial empire, his sons Leopold and Feliks who died young, son Karol Scheibler II and widow Anna Scheibler. Scheibler was one of the most important Łódź manufacturers of the nineteenth century, creator of the city's industrial power.

Devastation and renovation

After 1945 the chapel, along with the entire Old Evangelical-Augsburg Cemetery, fell into devastation and plunder. The burial crypt was desecrated – coffins and remains were destroyed. In 2006 the building was placed on the list of 100 most threatened monuments in the world (World Monuments Watch), drawing attention to the urgent need to save this structure.

Stages of restoration

The process of saving the building lasted several decades. In 1978 photogrammetric documentation was carried out and windows were secured. In 1991 the roof covering was replaced. Between 2002 and 2004 conservation work on the doors was undertaken and sculptures were restored. The final, largest phase – repair of the tower and roofs along with partial reconstruction of missing sculptural elements – lasted from 2009 to 2015. The Foundation for the Rescue of Karol Scheibler's Chapel, operating formally since 2003, continually raises funds for further conservation of the building.

Monument protection

The chapel is protected by entry in the register of monuments: ZS/1/12 of 27 February 1964 and A/12 of 20 January 1971. Management of the entire Old Evangelical-Augsburg Cemetery is the responsibility of the Evangelical-Augsburg Parish of Saint Matthew in Łódź.

Practical information

• Address: Old Cemetery on Ogrodowa Street 43, Polesie, Łódź
• Access: the chapel can be viewed from outside during cemetery opening hours; the interior is made available occasionally during events, open days and tours organised by the foundation and parish – advance arrangements required
• Getting there: approximately 10 minutes on foot from Manufaktura; accessible by MPK trams and buses in the Ogrodowa and Zachodnia Street area
• Interior viewing possibilities: current accessibility status should be checked directly with the Foundation for the Rescue of Karol Scheibler's Chapel