Schneider, Katharina (née Curschmann)

born: 02.11.1807 in Oppenheim

died: 11.02.1886 in Biebrich

At the end of the 1860s, Schneider and her family came to Biebrich from Hunsrück. After her son and husband died, Schneider left her fortune to her daughter Louise with the proviso that it be used for social purposes in a foundation.

Her daughter founded a home for the elderly in a former canning factory in Biebrich, which was opened on February 17, 1893 and also included a soup kitchen for the poor and workers. A deacon living in the building was in charge. It was also intended to serve as a clubhouse for Protestant men and young men. A housekeeping school was also connected to the home.

When the old people's home was no longer viable, Louise sold the property to the EVIM (Evangelischer Verein für Innere Mission in Hessen und Nassau) in 1901. The statutes of the Katharina Schneider Foundation remained in force, but were modified within the framework of foundation law and now offered a modest home to "less well-off single ladies of educated standing". The home served as a military hospital during the First World War and was destroyed by bombs during the Second World War, but was rebuilt with the help of the foundation.

On March 9, 1986, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the Katharinenstift in Rathausstr. 62-64 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founder's death. Since 1993, a geriatric center with 188 places has been located here.