Christian Friedrich Spittler laid the foundation for several important works in Basel. Nevertheless, no tombstone or grave monument remains. The story of his final resting place reflects Basel's rapid development since the 1870s.
From Baden to Basel
On December 8, 1867, Christian Friedrich Spittler died at the age of 85. Spittler had worked in Basel for 66 years. Born in 1782 near Pforzheim, he came here at the age of 19, first worked as secretary of the Basel Christian Society and became one of those influential personalities of his time who wanted to change society and support people out of faith. To this end, he founded several works, including the Pilgrim Mission St. Chrischona (today Chrischona International and St. Chrischona Theological Seminary), the Deaconess House Riehen and the Basel Mission, today Mission 21. He was buried not far from its headquarters, the Mission House at Missionsstrasse 21, on December 11, 1867: on the Spalen-Gottesacker, in the family grave of Christian Gottlieb Blumhardt, the first director ("inspector") of the Basel Mission, who died in 1838.
The city of Basel is growing
Already in 1868 the small cemetery was closed due to overcrowding. It was located only a few meters north of the Spalentor. The city of Basel grew very strongly during this period, by 17,000 inhabitants between 1870 and 1880 alone. The pressure of settlement reached the areas just outside the former city walls. Thus, the old cemetery grounds were needed for urban purposes. On March 9, 1893, Spittler's remains were moved to the Kannenfeld cemetery and buried there. The Spalen graveyard became the university's botanical garden and also provided space for the university library buildings.
Final resting place: Kannenfeldpark
But the Kannenfeld cemetery also became too small for the needs of the rapidly growing city. In 1931, local residents applied for its conversion into a park. However, the cemetery was finally abolished only in 1952. There are no more grave monuments in today's Kannenfeld Park, and no other evidence of Spittler's gravestone can be found. Probably the Basel Mission took back the gravestones and deposited them on the grounds of the Mission House. The inscriptions had become illegible over the years.
Four biblical guardians
Spittler's final resting place can still be found, however. At the Strassburgerallee stop on streetcar line 3 is the main entrance to the former Kannenfeld cemetery. This is adorned by four statues on high pedestals, inscribed with Bible verses on the theme of death and life. The texts indicate that the statues represent Moses, Daniel, Jesus and Paul. Beyond this entrance, a path branches off to the right. A few steps further, there are three birch trees on the inside of the archway. Approximately where the first two were planted, Spittler found his final resting place.
Text: Rev. Dr. Jochen Eber, ex. Lecturer at St. Chrischona Theological Seminary
To mark the 150th anniversary of Spittler's death, the choir of St. Chrischona Theological Seminary will also bring texts to Spittler in an Advent concert; Dec. 8, beginning at 8 p.m., Chrischona campus.
