parishes early on, exist in almost all boroughs. Only Mösbach didn't become a parish until 1865 and Sasbachried is still serviced by the neighboring parish of Sasbach. All parishes now belong to the Acher-Renchtal district within the archdiocese of Freiburg. At the dawn of the 19th century, Protestants started to move into Achern. The first Protestant service was held in 1842 in the Illenau hospital. The Protestant parish of Achern, founded in 1892, was able to build its church, the Christuskirche, in 1908 and 1909. The Protestant parish also serves the boroughs of Oberachern, Fautenbach, Gamshurst, Großweier and Sasbachried as well as the neighboring towns of Sasbach, Obersasbach and Lauf. The boroughs of Önsbach, Mösbach and Wagshurst on the other hand, are part of the parish of Renchen. The Protestant parish of Achern first belonged to the district of Rheinbischofsheim, and later on to the districts of Baden-Baden and Rastatt. The parish of Renchen belongs to the district of Kehl within the Evangelical Church in Baden. Finally, the Josua-Christian parish and the Christian parish Sasbachried are the two independent churches in Achern. Also represented in Achern, though in smaller numbers, are Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, New Apostolic Church, and Seventh-day Adventists. District reform The following villages and areas were incorporated into the city of Achern: January 1, 1971: Oberachern January 1, 1973: Fautenbach, Gamshurst, Großweier, Mösbach, Önsbach, Sasbachried und Wagshurst Demographics Figures reflect the city limits at the time and are estimates or Census data (¹), or official extensions thereof, counting only primary residences. ¹ Census result Government City Council The municipal elections on June 13, 2004, resulted in the following make-up of the City Council: Elections in May 2014: SPD: 2 seats Free voters Germany: 8 seats Acherner Bürger Liste (Citizen list) (ABL): 6 seats FDP: 1 seat CDU: 9 seats Total: 26 seats Mayor Heading up the village of Achern was the Heimburge (later: Bürgermeister or mayor) and the Bauernzwölfer. Since becoming part of Baden, the Mayor and City Council attend to Achern's local administration. The mayor is elected for a period of 8 years in direct elections. The mayor is also the City Council President. The First Councilman or woman is given the additional role of Deputy Mayor. Mayors since 1905 1905–1933: Wilhelm Schechter 1933–1945: Richard Krämer 1945–1955: Wendelin Morgenthaler 1955–1963: Richard Krämer 1963–1991: Winfried Rosenfelder 1991–2007: Reinhart Köstlin 2007–present: Klaus Muttach Flag and coat of arms Achern's