170 years ago, St. Wendel was sold to Prussia
(by Josef Dreesen)
The principality of Lichtenberg "consists of towns which belonged before the French revolution to the Prince of Trier and Pfalz, to the Prince of Nassau-Saarbrück and Salm-Kyrburg, to the Duke of Zweybrucken, to the Count of Baden and to the Counts von der Leyen and von Leiningen".
During the French period, the region belonged until 1813 to the 'Saardepartement'.
During the negotiations in Vienna, the area became the property of Ernst I. of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1784-1844), as a compensation for his services during the liberation wars. The transfer of the property to the Duke Ernst I. von S.C.-Saalfeld was made on sept. 09, 1816 in Frankfurt / Main. On march 06, 1819, the 'principality west of the Rhine' was named 'Principality of Lichtenberg' and received its own coat of arms.
Contrary to the neighbouring principality of Birkenfeld, which was given to the Duke of Oldenburg as compensation, the development of the principality of Lichtenberg was by far less advantageous, as Ernst I. had accepted the property only reluctantly. Already during the negotiations in Vienna, he had tried to exchange this "annoying property" for other areas that were situated more favorably for him. After taking over this compensation, he continued his endeavours. His lack of interest becomes obvious by the fact that he visited his principality for the first time in 1822! This had consequences!
Important changes, like the reorganization of the area which was urgently required, and the introduction of a new constitution, were only carried out very late.
The ducal commission instituted by the Duke was not successful in gaining the confidence of the population of Lichtenberg. As early as 1818/1819, the first signs of a growing resistance against the ducal commission became apparent (after 1819 Ducal Government of Saxony), who had to face loads of complaints. The worst was avoided only through the presence of the Duchess Luise (1800-1831), divorced Duchess of Saxony Coburg-Saalfeld, who lived in St. Wendel from fall 1824 until the beginning of 1831. But when, in fall 1830, it became known that the Duchess would be leaving the principality definitely, the riots started again and from this point, the principality had no more peace.
The consequences of the customs contract between Lichtenberg and Prussia (1830), namely check-ups of merchandises and additional taxes, led to customs riots. The disputes between the smugglers and the security forces of Lichtenberg became more severe and in spring1832, the riots in town were frequent. The situation escalated in May 1832, when a "freedom party" was celebrated on the Bosenberg and a 'liberty tree' was erected in St. Wendel. Only the help of the prussian troups enabled the ducal government to calm down the excited population.
During these tumultuous times, the Duke negotiated with Prussia concerning a transfer of the principality. A contract was concluded on March 26, 1833 concerning the transfer of the principality to Prussia, which was however ratified only a year later, on May 31,1834.
Even contemporaneous criticized this "transfer of the territory and the population to the King of Prussia as a violation of the rights of nature".
On Sept. 22, 1834, the territory was taken over by Prussia, after the principality had been released from the property of the Duke of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha on August 22, 1834. On April 1, 1835, the territory was appointed "Kreis St. Wendel" and became part of the royal prussian government district of Trier.
The following documents, among others, from the city archives of St. Wendel furnish information on the foundation of the principality of Lichtenberg and the ceremony at the occasion of the transfer of the principality to Prussia. Some of the documents may be seen in original. Click the link behind 'Originalurkunde' :
Report of the ducal commission on the veneration ceremony of October 13, 1816, St. Wendel, Oct. 14, 1816.
Origin: city archives of St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 1-3
Copy :
(Fol 1) We have been truly touched and pleased yesterday during the veneration ceremony itself, as well as during the veneration celebration and the time we have stayed here, by the pleasant, trustful and well-mannered behavior of all the persons paying homage.
We will certainly report and praise the events to Her Serene Highness our Sovereign and already beforehand, we are convinced of his pleasure and satisfaction.
We pray that the friendly relations between our Sovereign, the administration and civil service appointed by our Sovereign and the subjects may continue for the benefit of our Sovereign and the country.
(Fol. 2) For the time being however, we ask the Mayor to convey our just mentioned feelings and our most sincere thankfulness to all the residents of the Mayor's district, which is most probably best done during the assemblies in every community by the local mayors on an appropriate day.
We wish to express in particular to the Mayor and his administration and all the residents of the town our entire satisfaction on behalf of the remarkable arrangements made and our very best wishes for the future development of the town and we assure you that we will do our best to help to this purpose.
St. Wendel, october 14th 1816
Ducal Commission
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 1-3
"The citizens in particular of the newly created smaller areas were rather unhappy with the new organization of their political situation and when - not in 1817, but rather in autumn of 1816 - the principality of Lichtenberg was taken over by Saxe-Coburg, the new government, although it did not face open hostilities, found no trace of the favorable attitude as indicated. (. . . .) St. Wendel had a Court of first instance at the time of the transfer of the principality of Lichtenberg to S. Coburg.
Therefore, S. Coburg took over, in addition to the local tribunals and mayors' positions, the respective judges, procurators, clerks of the court, messengers, advocates and notary publics."
Origin: City of St. Wendel, without signature, Government situation in the principality of Lichtenberg (copy / MS: Secret State Archives Berlin)
"The population of 26.315 residents / as per the count of 1818 / on a surface of 11 28,100 square miles, lives on farming and cattle. In spite of the fertile ground, it becomes obvious at first view that there is not much activity and incentive for improvements. Methods of working the ground long obsolete in other areas are still in use here exclusively. Experience and knowledge in farming methods is practically never used, the cattle stock is small and of bad quality, fruit farming is neglected, the forests are mismanaged, and as a result of this behavior, wide areas of waste land can be seen, where the ground would be very well suited for woods. "
Origin: City archives St. Wendel, without signature, revolutionary movements in the principality of Lichtenberg (copy/MS: Secret State Archives Berlin)
"It is an agricultural country whose residents live mostly on farming and cattle, and much less on the manufacture of products and even less on trade. The diligence accorded to these sources of income varies at close distances from great industrial efforts to nearly complete neglect. The lower valley of the Blies, the Osterthal, Glanthal, Nahethal and the valley of the Pfeffelbach are the richest and most diligent areas and, at the same time, nearly in total protestant. The poorest and most degenerate communities are the areas of Furschweiler, Freisen, Reitscheid, Namborn and Oberkirchen, whose residents are nearly all catholics. The communities situated on a higher level with a mixed population from the religious point of view, are in between the other two, but here as well, they are far from growing sufficiently."
Origin: Archives of the state of Coburg Min.R,No. 127, fol. 2f.
Excerpt from the official gazette No. 21 (Duke of S.C.), St. Wendel, August 18, 1821, column 217 ff.
Decree on the institution of a district administration in the principality of Lichtenberg
Origin: city archives St. Wendel
Copy:
(column 217) Decree concerning the institution of a district administration for the principality of Lichtenberg.
We, Ernst Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Jülich, Cleve and Berg and Engern and Westphalen, Count in Thüringen, Meissen and Henneberg, Prince of Lichtenberg, Count zu der Mark and Sire at Ravenstein, etc.
(column 218) have decided, in order to give our faithful subjects another proof of our care as a sovereign, to institute as well in this part of our properties a constitution, which is to become valid still this year. In consideration of the local situation, we consider it most appropriate to have the constitution of the principality of Lichtenberg follow the lines of the institution of the departmental councils and to grant the usual rights to the future district administration. With this intention, we stipulate as follows:
1.) (column 219) In the principality of Lichtenberg there will be as of now an association called district administration, consisting of seven members, of which three will have to be elected from St. Wendel and two each from Baumholder and Grumbach. When and how delegates are to be appointed for the election of the members of the district administration, will be defined in a separate order.
Publication concerning the veneration celebrations, St. Wendel sept. 8, 1834,
signed v. Szymborski
Origin: City archives St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 32
Copy :
In the name of His Serene Highness, the Duke Ernst.
Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince of Lichtenberg, etc.
At the occasion of the transfer of the principality of Lichtenberg to His Majesty the King of Prussia, an infantry company of 250 men, half a squadron hussars and an artillery detachment will arrive here.
A part of the men will have their food and bed in the barracks, the major part however will have to be billeted in town at 5 silver 'Groschen' per man per day.
The ducal mayors' office will furnish information as to what is necessary and on the appropriate food
it is also necessary that the horses be taken care of and here as well, according to highest instructions, no costs should arise for the city.
St. Wendel, september 8, 1834
Ducal saxon government
Szymborski
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 32
Remarks of the special commissioner v. Szymborski concerning the food and service of the prussian military personnel, St. Wendel, september 17, 1834.
Origin: City archives St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 45f.
Copy:
I have orders to arrange a lunch - if possible in the open air - for the Royal Prussian Military Personnel (450 men) on the 22nd and request that the already existing billeting commission handle this and issues the necessary instructions.
Several hosts possessing restaurants with sufficient space to house at least 60 persons in case of bad weather, will have to share the business between themselves. This procedure remains the same if the meal can be taken outside together.
The meal should consist of :
1. soup
2. cooked beef with horseradish and sauce
3. vegetables and a side dish
4. a piece of cake
5. a pint of local wine
The hosts have to provide tables, plates and cutlery and chairs. They will have to accept that members of the billeting commission check the food and drinks and reject what is bad. I would reserve the right to appoint an official who would have to insure that this enterprise does not end in a prostitution.
Only reliable hosts are acceptable and their offers, which should not exceed 36 florins (?) are to be presented to me immediately.
St. Wendel, september 17, 1834
The special commissioner
Szymborski
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 45
Instructions pertaining to the clothing of the invited civil service personnel for the veneration ceremony
September 13, 1834
Origin: City of St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 33
Copy:
In the name of . . . .
As the date for the transfer of the principality and the veneration ceremony is somewhat less imminent than originally foreseen, it will be possible to request that the clothing of the civil service personnel invited for the ceremony be suitable for the purpose, a request which was not made before due to the short delay.
The clothing has to consist of :
A black suit with triangular hat, sword and short trousers. Should it be too difficult to procure the triangular hat and the sword, a round hat may be sufficient with the above suit.
This instruction does not apply to the invited "Notabeln" (men of distinction).
St. Wendel, september 13, 1834
Ducal Saxon Government
v. Szymborski
To all Mayors
Brevi manu in copy of the ducal mayor on site, with the order to bring its contents to the attention of the Judge Knauer, the Rentmeister (finances) Tosetti and the Municipal Council Riegel.
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 33
Instruction on the administration of the homage oath to Mayor Stephan
September 13, 1834
Origin: City of St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 39
Copy:
As a consequence of the treaty dated May 31, of this year, documenting the transfer of the region called principality of Lichtenberg, owned by his Serene Highness the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, to his Majesty the King of Prussia, commissioners have been appointed to carry out the transfer. These commissioners are the gentleman von Bodelschwingh, president of the Royal Prussian Rhineprovince and the gentleman von Szymborski, currently responsible for the ducal government and, having decided that the official transfer of the principality of Lichtenberg with the homage ceremony was to take place on September 22, of this year, the commissioners request that the Advocate and Mayor Stephan be present at the ceremony, in order to take his homage oath to his Majesty the King of Prussia and to put his capabilities as Advocate and Mayor into the service of the King of Prussia. Mr. Stephan is therefore requested to appear on September 21, before the Counsellor Cramer, in order to receive his instructions pertaining to the course of events of the ceremony.
St. Wendel, September 13, 1834
Ducal Government
Szymborski
The Advocate and Mayor
Mr. Stephan on site
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 39
Report on the celebration of September 22, 1834
Origin: City of St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 54
Copy:
St. Wendel, September 22, 1834
half past eleven am
After taking the homage oath, the undersigned Mayor went to the local City Hall upon request of the two commissioners appointed for the transfer of the principality of Lichtenberg yesterday. A division of the troops followed and lined up in front of the City Hall. From his position on top of the stairs, the Mayor, with the help of the undersigned assistant Tholey, read the release document dated August 28 from the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and the document taking the possession of the principality of Lichtenberg by the King of Prussia dated August 15, 1834, then he fastened both documents on the bulletin board of the City Hall and had the Royal coat of arms installed above the entrance of the City Hall. A triple cheer concluded the ceremony.
It happened as described above.
The Mayor
signed Stephan and Tholey, Assistant
Originalurkunde: C 1/57 fol 54
Letter of thanks of the President of the Rhineprovince von Bodelschwingh to the Mayor of St. Wendel Stephan, St. Wendel, September 24, 1834
Origin: City archives St. Wendel C 1/57.fol. 57
Copy:
The citizens of the city of St. Wendel have participated in the transfer of the former principality of Lichtenberg in such a friendly way, namely with the excellent catering of the billeted Royal troop division, that I wish to express my sincere thanks for their attitude.
I do hope that the local population will maintain their devoted attitude towards Her Majesty our King in future and that they become worthy members of the honest population of the Rhineprovince.
May I ask you to pass on my thanks to the citizens through the city council.
St. Wendel, September 24, 1834
The Royal Prussian President of the Rhineprovince
Bodelschwingh
To the Mayor Mr. Stephan
on site
Originalurkunde: upload/archiv/C
Change of name of the former Principality of Lichtenberg to District of St. Wendel, April 26, 1835.
Origin: City archives St. Wendel C 1/57, fol. 70
Copy:
By "Cabinets Order" of the 25th of last month, His Majesty the King has decided to transfer the former principality of Lichtenberg to the Administration District Trier under the name of District of St. Wendel and the President of the Rhineprovince has, for the execution of this order, appointed the government official Cramer, who will terminate the activities of the local government and institute the government official Engelmann as District Administrator. The ceremony is foreseen to take place on the 30th of this month at 11 am in the government conference room in the local city hall.
Having the honour of informing you of the above, I leave it up to your decision whether you will wish to attend to the introduction of the government official Mr. Engelmann as future District Administrator on the 30th of this month or if you prefer to be presented to Mr. Engelmann one day later by the government official Mr. Cramer or by myself.
St. Wendel, April 26, 1835
signed Gürtz
To
The Mayor Mr. Stephan
on site
Originalurkunde: [C 1/57 fol 70
St. Wendel - a historical survey |
| Reign of the Merowinge. The local area belongs to the 'Bliesgau' (Blesitschowa). | | | At the time of the bishop Magnerich (566-597) in Trier, Wendalin lives as a hermit or missionary in the wooded mountains of the bishopric Trier.
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| 12th century: | The name "St. Wendel" relating to the patron of the town, is replacing the original name of the town: "Basenvillare". | | 1180: | First document mentioning a church consecrated to Saint Wendelin. Basis for the political and economical development of the domain Wendelshof. | | 1326 and 1328: | The Prince and Archbishop of Trier Balduin von Luxemburg (1307-1354) purchases the castle and the village St. Wendel. This purchase is necessary for the endeavours in course to push back from the Rhine the influence of Lorraine. | | 1331: | After the purchase of further domains and rights, the government department of St. Wendel developed under the direction of Trier. Jakomin von Monkler (Montclair) was the first official in charge. Restoration of the old castle (which has disappeard in the meantime). | | 1332: | Emperor Kaiser Ludwig der Bayer grants the 'city rights' at the occasion of the General Assembly (Reichstag) in Nürnberg. Based on these 'city rights', the town establishes its representation consisting of a bailif, 7 lay assessors and a clerk, basically taking over the traditional Court system. From now on, the town can settle alone its internal affairs, independently from the archbishop. A consequence of the 'City rights' are the rights to hold markets which, in connection with the pilgrimages and religious celebrations, soon allow the introduction of important regular fairs and weekly markets. | 
| 1360: | Inauguration of the choir of the pilgrimage church by the Archbishop Boemund von Trier. | | 1388: | Prince Werner von Falkenstein (1388-1418) provides the true sign of a city for St. Wendel: the protection through a wall. In order to raise the costs for the construction of the wall, a wine tax is introduced, which will persist after the construction of the wall. The fortification of the city, rests of which still exist today, consisted of the wall around the town, 2 large gates, eight towers and the moats. | | 15th century | In the 15th century, St. Wendel has its first prosperous period. The wealthy city becomes the economic center of a large area. The foundation of early craft art associations allowed a prosperous development of the crafts arts. | | 1440: | Prince Jakob I. v. Sierck gives the lot "Kaff" situated in front of the church to the parish church for the construction of a representative city hall. The building was destroyed by fire during the Dutch war (1677). | | 1455 | The squire Johann von Oppenheim, named Hanenschild, and his spouse Tryne make a donation of their house and all their belongings for the purpose of an eternal hospital, where poor people should be housed and nursed. This was the foundation of the hospital. | | 1591: | A big fire. An important part of the city is totally burnt. | | 1618 – 1648: | The Thirty Years War. Countless billetings, fires and contributions bring the city to the verge of disaster. The manners degenerate. In order to protect them-selves from the marauding war people, the population of the surrounding villages moves several times into the city. The prosperity of the city is destroyed, the wealth of the citizens is lost due to the continuing torments. | | 1635: | The worst year in the Thirty Years War. The Emperors' troops, Spaniards, Croates, Hungarians, Polish, Swedes, Frenchmen, Lorrains alternate in the country. Villages are burnt, there is allover fire, pilllage, robbery and murder, plague and famine. | | 1639: | Siege of the city through the troops of the French General Malegotti. After the war, there are still groups of soldiers roaming through the country. 1653, 1664 and 1668, the population of the surrounding villages comes for shelter into the city with their cattle. | | 1674: | The French/Dutch War, which broke out in 1672, affects the city again. Upon order of the French Marshall Henri Vicomte de Turenne, the fortifications of the city are destroyed. | 
| 1677: | In the Candlemas night of this year, the Comte de Bussy had burned down the castle, the city hall and the citizens' houses of the city. The entire region is devastated.
| | 1680: | French reunification endeavours. The Reunification Chamber in Metz declares that St. Wendel, as a former fief of Verdun, belongs to France. Baron Philipp Franz von Sötern zu Dagstuhl, owner of the local domains, declares himself vassal of France. The Bishop of Metz incorporates the parish of St. Wendel into his diocese. Until the Peace Treaty of Ryswick (1697) St. Wendel stays under French government. | | 1742: | Construction of the City Hall on the Schlossplatz by bailif Franz Ernst D'hame which is also used as City Hall today. | | 1755: | Construction of the Wendelin chapel with hermitage on the site of a former chapel, by bailif Franz Ernst D'hame. | | 1774: | The cemetery is transferred from its place near the church to a place outside the upper city gate. | | 1798: | St. Wendel becomes headquarters of the canton and belongs to the 'Arrondissement' Saarbrücken, Saardepartement. The craft arts associations are abolished. Introduction of the republican chronology. The canton of St. Wendel consists of five mayors' offices. The mayors' office St. Wendel consists of the city center and the communities of Alsfassen-Breiten, Oberlinxweiler and Urweiler. | | 1805: | Completion of the new City Hall building on the 'Fruchtmarkt' according to plans of the architect Friedrich Gerhard Wahl from Zweibrücken. On Feb. 5, a devastating flood as a consequence of the melting snow. The lower part of the city is flooded. The chapel Magdalene is transformed into a school. Introduction of French language lessons in the schools and in official transactions. | 
| 1806: | Demolition of the lower city gate. | | 1815: | Vienna Congress - St. Wendel becomes capital of an area of 8,25 square miles with 25.000 inhabitants which is accorded to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. | | 8.8.1817 | Installation of a post station by Thurn & Taxis on the road Saarbrücken - Birkenfeld - Kreuznach - Mainz.
181 | | 1818: | Reconstruction of the hospital | | 1819: | The region is named Principality of Lichtenberg by ducal decree. | 
| 1824: | Inauguration of a "ducal high school" in connection with a training college for teachers and a boarding school for poor teachers-to-be. | | 1825: | Foundation of a protestant parish in St. Wendel. | | 1834: | The reign of Coburg is terminated by the revolutionary activities before 1832. By a treaty, the Duke Ernst transfers the Principality of Lichtenberg to Prussia against a yearly pension of 80.000 Talers. Institution of the 'District of St. Wendel' and its transfer into the Government District of Trier. | | 1836: | Foundation of an association for the discovery and collection of ancient objects in the districts of Ottweiler and St. Wendel by the headmaster Schue. | | 1841: | Construction of a protestant church with financial support of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. | | 1842: | Installation of the 'Schloßplatz' on grounds which were at that time a moor. | | 1852 – 1855: | Important emigrations, mostly to North-America. In the United States of America, 17 towns founded by these emigrants have the name St. Wendel or Wendell. | | 1856: | Start of the construction of the Rhein-Nahe railway. | | 1860: | Inauguration of the Rhein-Nahe-Railway by the Prince Wilhelm von Preußen. Construction of the railway workshop at the mountain of Tholey. These two events, which introduced the steam power, had an important impact on the economical life in town. Improvement of the general situation in town. | 
| 1877: | New construction of the 'Progymnasium' | | 1879: | Publication of the "St. Wendeler Volksblatt" (local daily paper), at first three times per week. | | 1905: | Inauguration of the industrial education school. Tentatives concerning the construction of a railway track Kusel - St. Wendel - Lebach. | | 1909: | New construction of a public primary school (Cecilienschule), named today Nikolaus-Obertreis-Schule.
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| 1911: | Construction of the church of the 'Mission House'. Construction of the hospital Marienkrankenhaus. Inauguration of a training college for teachers and a preparatory school. | 
| 1912: | New construction of the railway work shop at the Berzberg. | | 1913: | Construction begin of the railway St. Wendel - Tholey. | | 1920: | Traty of Versailles. Due to the peace treaty, St. Wendel is, for a period of 15 years, part of the Saargebiet governed by a government commission. | | 1928: | Completion of the new high school building in the Werschweilerstraße | 
| 1929/31: | Institution of the catholic parish St. Anna. Construction of the first St-Anna church by the architect Hans herkomer. | | 1932: | 600-years anniversary of the city of St. Wendel. | | 1935: | Plebiscite. Reunification of the 'Saargebiet' with Germany. | | 1938: | St. Wendel becomes a garrison town. On November 8, the Jewish synagogue is destroyed by fire. | | 1939 – 1945: | Second World War. Losses of people and considerable damages on the buildings through the war. The worst bomb attacks happened on Dec. 6, 24, 27 1944 and on Feb. 28 1945. Destruction of the church St. Anna through the bomb attacks on Dec. 24 and 27, 1944. | | 1957: | Inauguration of the new commercial school in the Julius-Bettingen-Straße, on May 25. | | 1957: | Mayor Franz Gräff from Pfalzfeld is elected Mayor of the District City of St. Wendel. | | 1957: | Inauguration of the St. Wendel VHS - adult education center. | | 1960: | 600th anniversary of the Wendels cathedral. Anniversary and pilgrimage week from June 6, to June 12. | | 1960: | Pope John XXIII. elevates the pilgrimage church with the tomb to the liturgical status of a Basilika minor. | | 1960: | On October 7, inauguration of the new old age rest home and the new primary school of the hospital. | | 1. 4. 1961: | The German armed forces take over the repair shop and the maintenance batallion 962 installs a military maintenance work shop. | | 1962: | On September 25, inauguration of the commercial education school and the new addition to the building of the Nikolaus-Obertreis primary school with gym and instruction pool. | | 1964: | Inauguration of the ethnological museum at the 'Mission-House' St. Wendel on Oct. 15. | | 1966: | On Jan. 19, inauguration of the new building of the girls' high school in the Missionshausstraße. | | 1966: | Franz Gräff re-elected for another 10 years as Mayor of the District City St. Wendel. | | 1967: | On July 19, inauguration of the new building of the district junior high school in the Willi-Graf-Straße. | | 1967: | On Dec. 10, inauguration of the church 'Heilig-Geist' on the Tholeyerberg. | | 1968: | On July 2, inauguration of the new hospital church und the nurses' and employees' home. | | 1968: | On Oct. 6, inauguration of the public indoor swimming pool in the Willi-Graf-Straße. | | 1968: | May 21, The railway track St. Wendel - Saarbrücken switches over to electrical power. | | 1970: | Inauguration of the new railway-station. Opening of the pedestrian tunnel underneath the Mommstraße and of the enlarged subway at the Tholeyerberg. | | 1972: | Begin of the partnership between the cities of St. Wendel and Rezé-lès-Nantes (Loire Atlantique). | | 1975: | Inauguration of the technical-commercial education center in the Werschweilerstraße. Inauguration of the hospital Bosenberg-Klinik (220 beds). | | 1977: | Restoration and renovation of the Wendelin chapel.. | 
| 1981: | Opening of the Wendalinus basilica after one year of renovation and restauration. Visit of a group of relatives of the former Jewish community of St. Wendel. Installation of a commemorative plaque at the 'Vollmann' house in the Kelsweilerstraße, place of the synagogue until 1938. | | 1982: | 650th anniversary of the city of St. Wendel. | | 1999: | Withdrawal of the last French military divisions and consequent conversion of the military area. |
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