Kolping Family mark 150 years of existence

The Kolping Family in Leutkirch, a Catholic association founded in 1875, has been a beacon of solidarity, helpfulness, community, family, faith, and sociability for over a century and a quarter. This association, with its focus on education and taking on social projects, has left an indelible mark on the town and beyond.

The roots of the Kolping Family can be traced back to September 1875, when the association was established following the example of Adolph Kolping and other nearby cities. The association, initially composed of 150 members, was revived under the name and presidency of Kaplan Schweiß in 1946, after a brief hiatus during World War II.

Over the years, the Kolping Family has grown and evolved. In 1973, the association purchased a former cheese factory building in Börlas bei Missen, which was later transformed into a vacation home. This vacation home was officially inaugurated in 1974. The association's latest significant milestone was the inauguration of the "House of the Kolping Family" in 1993.

The Kolping Family has always been open to all people, regardless of origin, denomination, or worldview. This inclusivity was formalised in the 1960s when women were allowed to join, and in the 1980s with the establishment of a Young Kolping group.

The association has faced challenges, particularly during World War I when meetings and elections were prohibited, causing a halt in the association's activities. However, the spirit of Adolph Kolping, who famously stated "Only the better people make the times better," has always been a guiding force.

Today, the Kolping Family in Leutkirch boasts 129 members with an average age of 55. Despite potential dissolution risks, the association continues to support social projects, both locally and internationally. This includes institutions like the food bank, Leutkircher hospice, and projects in Burundi, Namibia, Argentina, and Brazil.

However, with an increasing member age, two well-established activities had to be discontinued. The current president of the Kolping family in Leutkirch is not identified, and there is no information on when they were elected. Martin Schmuck, who became the current chairman in 2009, currently leads the association.

In 1975, a celebratory church service for the 100th anniversary of the association was led by Bishop Carl-Joseph Leiprecht. Prince Georg von Waldburg-Zeil planted a tree at the vacation home in honor of the jubilee. The association celebrated its 25th, 50th, and 125th anniversaries in 1900, 1925, and 2000, respectively, marking significant milestones in its history.

The Kolping Family in Leutkirch continues to uphold the values of solidarity, helpfulness, community, family, faith, sociability, education, and taking on social projects, making a positive impact on the lives of its members and the wider community.