Rest Stops for the Soul on Germany's Autobahn

It's vacation time in Germany. Where to go, what to do? The soul-searching leads to one possibility: attending a church along Germany's famed Autobahn.

One Autobahn chapel on the A6 route between Nuremburg and Prague hosts a series of events under the title "Salvation and The Exhilaration of Speed." There, near the border to the Czech Republic, church organist and music therapist Bernd Ebener sings Gregorian chants.

Often on the road alone, he said stopping off and singing in an Autobahn chapel is relaxing after a long stretch of driving.

"Going to a church along a motorway of course says a lot about the fast pace of our society," Ebener said. "I figured I would try it out. Taking a break from the stress of daily life is important. What better way to do it than halting at a space designed for spirituality?"

Autobahn chapels dot the motorway network

Germany meanwhile has over 30 such churches along its Autobahn motorway. More than 1 million people seek out a highway house of God each year.

Günther Lehner, the managing director of the Conference for Autobahn Churches, isn't surprised.

"The trend toward mobility is increasing," he said. "People are looking more and more for places of refuge."

Each Autobahn chapel has a "Book of Concerns." It is kind of like a guestbook in which visitors can write down their thoughts, wishes or concerns.

Sometimes people even write down a note of thanks, said Pastor Peter Klamt of the Himmelkron Autobahn church in Bavaria.

The pastor often creates special services for his church, like the "Siren Service" in November for fire fighters, police and medical personnel.

And, three times a year -- including July 30, which is "Autobahn Church Day" -- Pastor Klamt blesses the cars and trucks that roll up in front of his motorway chapel.