NB : the use of the chapel is subject to prior authorisation by the parish of Soultzmatt. For more information, contact the presbytery: 03 89 47 00 34 or : paroisses.vallee-noble@laposte.net.

History of the site :

Written traces of the “Schäferthal” date back to the 14th century, especially in the register of the “Steinkloster” in Basel.
These pasture lands were the property of the “Nobles of Laubgasse”, rich people from Suntheim, a village near Rouffach which no longer exists.
The origin of this pilgrimage place is linked to the legend of the Virgin Mary who made a spring gush out and thus saved the shepherds and their herds from a relentless drought. A little chapel was then built on the place where the spring appeared. Soon the chapel became too small and in the 16th century, the present choir was added and consecrated on July 25, 1511 by Telemarius Lingerger, bishop of Basel. In the years 1594-1596, the chapel was enlarged by the length of 2 windows in the nave. At the same time, a house was also built, presumably occupied by hermits or by Augustinian friars. Researches are currently in progress to clarify the origin and purpose of this house.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the chapel went trough a considerable expansion, and in 1726, the nave was enlarged to its present size.
The current front door dates back to the 1st building and was moved in 1726. Closed during the French Revolution, the chapel was sold in 1797 to an inhabitant of Rouffach, Bernard Landwerlen. In 1803, the Val du Pâtre was reopened to the public and many pilgrims came by.
In a report of 1937, it is stated that 8 processions starting from Soutzmatt took place yearly.
With respect to the house, a first restoration was made in 1726. Several modifications were made afterwards. Its current appearance dates back to 1994, when a huge campaign of renovation was made by the scouts of the Haut-Rhin.

In 1951, Robert Gall, an artist from Colmar, was in charge of an important operation of renovation of the chapel.
The Val du Pâtre chapel was entirely restored thanks to the generosity of the local people and with the support of the commune. Between 1984 and 1986, the restoration works were provided by volunteers of the Association “The Friends of Schäferthal”.

The steeple	The basement	The Friends of Schäferthal