History
Bernhäuser Forst traces its roots back to the work of Protestant youth associations and it serves as the main conference center and education house for the Protestant Youth Foundation in Württemberg (EJW).
The Bernhäuser Forst conference center traces its roots back to the work of Protestant youth associations. Funded by the Protestant Regional Church of Württemberg, Bernhäuser Forst has served as the main conference center and education house for the Protestant Youth Foundation in Württemberg (EJW) since 1969. The certificate of incorporation from 1968 describes the conference center as a “place of gathering and mission”. In this regard, the aim of Bernhäuser Forst is to create a space in which our guests can seek a new orientation for their career and personal matters.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking at the "Jungmännertag" on 24th of September 1967. Until today the foundation stone is visible for every guest at the main entrance of Bernhäuser Forst.
Topping-out ceremony
The staff members with the lady's helpers during the first years
Athletic compensation has been with us all along
10 year anniversary with a festive buffet, trombone band and lots of guests
The staff members
Restructuring of the guestrooms and construction of new conference rooms on level 8 with a beautiful view and roof terrace
Demolition of the dining room and the kitchen
Opening of the new building
On the 16th october 2011 the Bernhäuser Forst was reopened after it's generous expansion. Kitchen, dining room and modular conference rooms are delighting our guests since then.
„139 PS“ by Martin Buchard
A sculpture made of wood and steel inspired by psalm 139 "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me." welcomes every guest in front of the main entrance. The favour of the psalm becomes perceptible for every guest when he or she stands in the middle of the artwork.
New Waldheim building of the Protestant church district of Bernhausen
Until today the Bernhäuser Forst is the conference centre of the EJW in Wurttemberg. The different working areas of the EJW offer workshops and advanced trainings for voluntary and full-time employees of the Protestant youth work. The goal of this work is it to encourage people to reflect their own experiences in faith of Jesus Christ and to give new ideas and impulses to their faith, their personal development and the creation of their respective assignment through the offers of the Bernhäuser Forst.
Responsibility for the operations of the Bernhäuser Forst conference center to be transferred from the Protestant Youth Foundation in Württemberg (EJW) to the Protestant Conference Facilities of Württemberg (Evangelischen Tagungsstätten in Württemberg), an organization of the Protestant Regional Church of Württemberg. The close bond to EJW as a main conference center and education house will remain unchanged.