Anna Clara Manera

Anna Clara Manera - Historical oil painting

Anna Clara Manera (* 1700 ; † January 27, 1781 in Mainz ) was a wealthy citizen of the city of Mainz. Together with her son Jakob (1731–1780) she made it possible through a foundation to rebuild the organ of St. Ignaz (Mainz) . This was done from 1779 to 1781 by the organ builder Joseph Anton Onimus for 3979 guilders and 28 kreuzers. The impressive classical organ case on the gallery above the main entrance of the church has survived several repairs to the organ. The organ itself was rebuilt by Bernhard Dreymann in 1837.

Organ of St. Ignaz

The widow Anna Clara Manera and her son Jakob, who died “as a single person”, are buried in the crypt under the church. Their “oven graves” are typical of St. Ignaz, but otherwise rare on the Middle Rhine. The grave (No. II, 6) of the organ donor Anna Clara Manera in the south wall of the crypt bears the following inscription:

"Anna Clara Manera / 1700 Born died 1781. / Here, reader, rests the ashes of a woman / who possessed courage and a man's spirit / Carefully build happiness for your children / Pour in abundance / Heaven's blessing upon their actions . / She always walked on the ways / Christian justice, / Her good heart was also ready / to help the afflicted poor in a mildly rich way; / To see the temples and altars adorned / was your pious joy, / The splendor of the organ at St. Ignaz is your devotional work. / O dear reader, note: / Through charity and religion / Will one once receive the eternal reward. "

literature

• Hans Fritzen: The building history of the St. Ignaz Church in Mainz (= contributions to the history of the city of Mainz. Vol. 22, Part 1, ISSN  0405-1998 ). City Library, Mainz 1974