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Krefeld. Christel Wenzlaff was born in Sageritz in Pomerania in 1924. As a child she wanted to be a pastor. That made it, despite many obstacles. In 1966 she became the first female pastor in Krefeld and in the church district. She died on September 19, 2020.
Christel Wenzlaff was born on December 13, 1924 in Sageritz / Stolp in Pomerania and was confirmed in Königsberg. From 1944 to January 1945 she did Reich Labor Service, Military Aid and Nurse Service. After fleeing with her family through ice and snow before the approaching eastern front, she landed in Gernrode in the Harz Mountains at the end of January.
In the same year she was able to begin her theology studies in Halle an der Saale. Her studies took her to Bethel, one semester each to Bern and Wales, and to Bonn. After her vicariate in Krefeld and auxiliary preaching service in Gummersbach, she was ordained in 1955. She was allowed to preach in the vicariate in Krefeld, although as a woman she was actually not allowed to do so. She was only allowed to work with women and children to a limited extent.
She gave religious instruction as a vicar, first in Gummersbach, then at the RicardaHuch-Gymnasium in Krefeld. In 1966 she finally became a pastor in Forstwald – still with restrictions: 75 percent of the salary of her male colleagues and a celibacy clause – she was not allowed to marry. At that time it was not allowed otherwise under canon law.
In 1971 she became pastor at the Old Church, in 1975 women and men were legally equal in the pastoral office. During her time in the parish of Alt-Krefeld, Wenzlaff made a special effort to work with resettlers. In her retirement from 1989, she continued to feel very close to her congregation and the church district.
Christel Wenzlaff’s career aspiration was pastor – since she was little. In the times of National Socialism, in which she grew up, that was a difficult career choice. Despite fleeing and many hardships, despite hurdles and difficulties in getting recognition – she managed to implement her wish, to live her dream. In 1966 she became the first female pastor in Krefeld and in the church district.
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