Holy Cross Church (Flechtorf)
The Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche in Flechtorf is an Evangelical Lutheran church and the only church in Flechtorf, a district of the community of Lehrer in the Helmstedt district in Lower Saxony . Since July 1, 2019, the parish of Flechtorf has been part of the Schunter parish association with the other parishes of Waggum , Bevenrode , Bienrode with Bechtsbüttel , Lehr , Beienrode and Hordorf - Essehof - Wendhausen in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Braunschweig .
history
Documents on the founding date of the parish Flechtorf are not yet known. In 1527, Duke Ernst I forced the introduction of the Reformation in Scharnebeck Monastery and, during the reign of his two sons, general church regulations were created in 1564. The first general church visitation in Flechtorf was carried out in 1568 by clergymen from Celle, who expressed themselves in a visitation protocol about the complaints of the pastor at the time, Johan Carstens.
building
In 1612 the parish was first recorded in writing, mentioning the dilapidation of the church. In 1626 the church was looted by enemy troops and in 1640 a new church was started. In 1803 a new nave was planned and inaugurated in 1806 due to the building damage incurred and the poor building site. In 1893 the first major renovation took place under government master builder Richard Bierberg and the painting by the ducal Brunswick court decorator Adolf Quensen . Another renovation was carried out from 1979 to 1983, and in 1983 regional bishop Gerhard Müller rededicated the church.
organ
In 1854 the organ was built by the organ builder Christian Sölter in Schöningen . The first renovation took place in 1960 and another as part of the interior renovation of the church from 1979 to 1983. With the help of federal funds, the instrument was restored and rebuilt in its original form, with keyboards, controls and mechanics being rebuilt; In 1985 the restored organ was inaugurated as part of a festival service.
Bells
The basic tone of the bells was determined by a large bell, almost 1 m high and weighing 442 kg, cast in 1693. In 1694 the community had a small bell made and in 1697 a medium bell. In 1938 the big bell got cracked during a ringing of death and on August 21, 1938 a new big bell was inaugurated. In 1793 a new, small bell and in 1826 a new, second, medium-sized bronze bell were made. The middle bell was confiscated and transported away during the First World War. After the end of the war, the community tried to find a replacement and in 1921 the inauguration of a new, 300 kg heavy cast steel bell tuned to the tone c sharp 'took place. Due to an order of the commissioner for the four-year plan of March 15, 1940, the small prayer bell from 1793 and the large bell purchased in 1938 had to be reported. In 1943 both bronze bells were confiscated and transported away, as well as the brass chandelier and the two pewter altar candlesticks with the year 1718. In 1947 the small bell was found undamaged in a granary in the port of Hamburg . In 1955, after the church tower was renovated, it took the place at the top of the tower lantern. The large bronze bell that was delivered has not yet been found.
literature
- Hartmut Hellermann: Holy Cross Church to Flechtorf. In: History and Stories. District of Helmstedt. Günther Druckerei, district register 2001.
- Helmut Kochanek: In the shelter and shadow of the castle. Flechtorfer Chronicle. Orphanage printing and publishing house, Braunschweig 1985.
Web links
Coordinates: 52 ° 21 '24.9 " N , 10 ° 42' 25.4" E