St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig
| St. Nicholas Church | |
|---|---|
Nikolaikirche | |
 Nikolaikirche in 2012 | |
  St. Nicholas Church | |
| Location | Leipzig |
| Country | Germany |
| Denomination | Evangelisch-Lutherisch (Protestant) |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.nikolaikirche.de |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical (interior) |
| Groundbreaking | c. 1165 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,400+ |
The St. Nicholas Church (in German: Nikolaikirche) is one of the major churches of central Leipzig, Germany. Construction started in Romanesque style in 1165, but in the 16th century, the church was turned into a Gothic hall church. Baroque elements like the tower were added in the 18th century.
In the 18th century, several works by Johann Sebastian Bach, who was the music director of Nikolaikirche and of St. Thomas Church from 1723–50, premiered here. The Neoclassical interior dates to the late 18th century.
The church rose to national fame in 1989 with the Monday Demonstrations when it became the centre of peaceful revolt against communist rule. By capacity, it is one of the largest churches in Saxony.
History
Construction of the church began about 1165. It is named after St. Nicholas, patron of travelers and merchants. It was built originally in the Romanesque style (with twin towers) but was extended and enlarged in the early 16th century in Gothic style. The Baroque main tower was added in 1730, the portal dates from 1759.[1]
Notable philosopher and mathemetician, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, was baptized here as an infant on 3 July 1646.
In 1784-97 the interior was remodeled by German architect Johann Carl Friedrich Dauthe in the Neoclassical style. The church has been a Protestant seat since 1539 after the Protestant Reformation, but today the Catholic Church is also allowed to use it.[1]
The church saw four of the five performances (including the premiere) of the St John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach on Good Friday in 1724, 1728, 1732, and 1749 as well as many of his cantatas and oratorios performed by the Thomanerchor.
Peaceful demonstrations
Cabaret artist Bernd-Lutz Lange said about the events which started in the St. Nicholas Church:
There was no head of the revolution. The head was the Nikolaikirche and the body the centre of the city. There was only one leadership: Monday, 5 pm, St. Nicholas Church."[2]
Post-reunification
More recently the church has been struggling to find the funds for interior restorations which have been ongoing since 1968.
Description
Organ
The church organ was renovated from mechanical (tracker) action to pneumatic action in the early 20th century.[3]
Today
The current pastor for this church is Bernhard Stief.
Nikolaikirche has a capacity of over 1,400 seats.[1]
Gallery
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Square in the 18th century -
Nikolaikirche -
Bust of J.S. Bach at the Nikolaikirche -
Tower -
Altar -
Organ and organ case -
Painted ceiling over altar -
The north chapel -
Column detail -
Painting by Adam Friedrich Oeser -
Stamp of the Monday demonstrations
References
- ^ a b c "Nikolaikirche zu Leipzig (German)". Nikolaikirche congegration. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ^ The rise and fall of the German Democratic Republic, 1945–1990, by Mike Dennis, Longman, 2000. p.278 ISBN 0-582-24562-1
- ^ Die Orgel Template:De icon Nikokaikirche, Leipzig, retrieved 2 May 2013
External links
51°20′25″N 12°22′43″E / 51.34028°N 12.37861°E
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