In the vernacular, an oratory (house of prayer) is often also called a "chapel". Before 1891, a wayside shrine with the miraculous image of "Maria Hilf" stood on the current site of the oratory.
History
The seventh and youngest child of Moritz Schurwey from Leukerbad was blind. At that time, Schurwey's attention was drawn to the aforementioned picture. Trusting in this picture, Moritz Schurwey promised that he would have a house of prayer built in honour of the Mother of God if his son Ernst regained his sight. And Ernst was indeed able to see again after six months, so that he could even learn to read and write, albeit with difficulty.
Father Moritz honoured his vow and had today's "Maria Hilf" oratory built in 1891. This is why older people still call this place the "Schurwey Chapel" today.
History
The seventh and youngest child of Moritz Schurwey from Leukerbad was blind. At that time, Schurwey's attention was drawn to the aforementioned picture. Trusting in this picture, Moritz Schurwey promised that he would have a house of prayer built in honour of the Mother of God if his son Ernst regained his sight. And Ernst was indeed able to see again after six months, so that he could even learn to read and write, albeit with difficulty.
Father Moritz honoured his vow and had today's "Maria Hilf" oratory built in 1891. This is why older people still call this place the "Schurwey Chapel" today.