Gezicht op de Église Saint-Arbogast te Rouffach before 1894

Charles Bernhoeft captured this image of the Église Saint-Arbogast in Rouffach using the photographic techniques available to him in the late 19th and early 20th century. Bernhoeft was a Luxembourgish photographer who lived in a time of great social change and technical innovation. What strikes me about this image is how Bernhoeft frames the church not just as a religious structure, but as an integral part of the town's identity. The cobblestone street, the ordinary townspeople, and even the chicken, position the church within the everyday life of Rouffach. Consider the role of religion, and specifically Catholicism, in shaping the cultural and social identities of people in this region. How does the grandeur of the church contrast with the simplicity of the surrounding environment? The photograph invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, community, and daily existence in a changing world. Bernhoeft’s photograph captures a moment in time and serves as a mirror reflecting the enduring human search for meaning and belonging.