Michaeliskirche (Wohra)

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The Michaeliskirche in Wohra is a Protestant church that probably existed before 1276 and is consecrated to St. Michael. It is surrounded by a round wall that was probably built in the 12th or 13th century. A special feature is the approximately 25 meter high Gothic sandstone bell tower . The original two bells were supplemented by two more in 1958. The church has been repaired and rebuilt several times. This fact makes it difficult to determine an exact date of origin. The cemetery for Wohra and Langendorf was adjacent to the church grounds until 1864.

Michaeliskirche

history

The Michaeliskirche is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1323, in which the patronage right of the Counts of Ziegenhain was established. Count Otto , Canon of Mainz, gave his brother Count Johann von Ziegenhain the patronage of the church and parish of Wohra. In a document from the Haina monastery from 1276, a plebanus Friedrich zu Wohra is named as a witness. In another document of the monastery from 1317, a plebanus Helwig zu Wohra is mentioned. This suggests that the church existed before 1276. The consecration of the church in honor of Saint Michael suggests a very old foundation.

In 1450 the dynasty of the Counts of Ziegenhain died out and their patronage rights passed to the robbers of Wohra.

The Hessian Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous joined the Reformation and convened a synod in Homberg (Efze) in 1526 , during which the Reformation was introduced in the Landgraviate of Hesse and around 1530 in Wohra and Langendorf. During the reign of Landgrave Moritz between 1606 and 1624, a reformed change of confession took place. The landgrave converted to Calvinism in 1605, contrary to the peace in Augsburg . As instructed by Landgrave Karl von Hessen, the Reformed and Lutheran pastors had to agree on the times of worship in Michaeliskirche from 1699. Since the church did not have enough seats for all parishioners, from 1793 a seating arrangement regulated attending church services according to time, denomination (cf. Simultankirche ) and space. The first Protestant pastor in Wohra was Eberhard Orth.

Reports of the poor condition of the church have been received from 1752 and 1758. In 1775 the mayors and heads of Wohra and Langendorf reported to Marburg that half of the attic had collapsed. In 1779 the Michaeliskirche was visited by the consistory of Marburg and entering the church was forbidden due to its dilapidation. The old church was demolished. The tower was retained because the new church was to be built in the same place. After almost two years of construction, it was provisionally released for use, completed in 1782 and consecrated at Easter.

In 1933 the Lutheran and Reformed church councils of Wohra and Langendorf united. From 1934 the Lutheran and Reformed parishioners together formed the Evangelical parish of Wohra. Wohra has been an independent parish since 1949 with branches in Langendorf and Hertingshausen .

The architectural style of the church was based on the bell tower, and was also built in sandstone. Above the north entrance there is a stone with the following inscription: In honor of the Most High Triune God, this church is in honor of the governor of the Lauchtigen Prince and Lord Friedrich the Landgrave of Hesse as well as WH von Baumbach Landraht and Baudirecktor as well Johannes Theophilus Ruppersberg Pastor / H. Spiecker RF Pastor / HH Mebus Grebe H. Adam Strack and Georg Becker Building Supervisor HH Schreider / H. Helwig Head as well as zu Langendorf / H. Schneider Building Supervisor S. Waldschmidt Grebe / Conrad Schneider Head.

Pastor

The pastors responsible for the Michaeliskirche were:

  • 1568–1606: Dietrich Stumpf
  • 1606–1609: Damasius Schussler
  • 1609–1611: Gregorius Schönfeld
  • 1611-1624: Johannes Agricola
  • 1625–1632: Heinrich Blum
  • 1632–1645: Abraham Stauderius
  • 1650–1663: Conrad Hofmann
  • 1663-1713: Wilhelm Scriba
  • 1718–1721: Johann Wilhelm Scriba
  • 1723–1768: Johann Helfrich Mahrt
  • 1759–1769: Theodor Mahrt
  • 1774–1782: Johann Theodor Justus Theophil Ruppersberg
  • 1782–1783: Johann Christian Seybel
  • 1783–1796: Christian Christoph Soldau
  • 1797–1802: Ferdinand Franz Metzger
  • 1802–1816: Georg Friedrich Reccius
  • 1817–1819: Friedrich Hieronymus
  • 1819–1837: Thomas Merle
  • 1837–1848: Rudolf Wilhelm Gottlieb Mart
  • 1849–1861: Friedrich Ludwig Faust
  • 1862–1871: August Wilhelm Assmann
  • 1873–1879: Philipp Konrad Heinrich Kessler
  • 1878–1881: Julius Bezzenberger
  • 1881–1890: Johannes Ludwig Richard Leopold Maus
  • 1890–1901: Gottfried Kahler
  • 1902–1913: Reinhold Dellit
  • 1913–1923: Julius Georg Dietrich Ernst
  • 1924–1936: Eduard Korff
  • 1937–1945: Wulf von Dobschütz
  • 1946–1949: Heinrich Wittekindt
  • 1949–1973: Friedrich Stalb
  • 1973–1974: Schimmelpfeng and Dr. Mommsen on representation
  • 1974–1977: Reinhard Groell entrusted with the provision
  • 1977–1980: Andres, Rev. i. Usually charged with the provision
  • 1980–1985: Helmut Heiser
  • 1985–1987: Gustav Ohlendorf commissioned with the provision
  • 1987–2000: Klaus-Jürgen Fackiner
  • 2000–2007: Jörg Meyer
  • since 2007: Hardy Rheineck, b. Klinzing

Until 1946 the pastor lived in the 2nd rectory in Gemünden, from then on in the new rectory in Wohra.

architecture

Bell tower

The steeple

The approximately 25 meter high bell tower is made of sandstone. On the west side of the tower is a stone with the year 1510 (MCCCCCX) and two coats of arms. The heraldic right coat of arms bears the Hessian lion and the left the Ziegenhainer coat of arms with a star in the shield. In October 1904 the tower was almost completely re-covered and a new helmet pole was attached. Repairs were made in 1929. In 1955 the tower was struck by lightning and badly damaged. The church roof was re-covered; a new weathercock was put on top and, when it had lowered, it was erected in 1971 and painted with 24-carat lemon gold. The belfry above the masonry has been made of sturdy oak since 1958, which is supposed to keep vibrations away from the masonry when the bell rings. The belfry measures 3.80 m × 2.70 m and is 3.20 m high.

Furnishing

Interior

The benches, gallery and pulpit are made of oak. The church can accommodate around 250 people. In 1904 the stalls were painted and new windows were installed. The first furnace was installed in 1910. The church has had electric light since 1927. The interior painting was renewed in 1929 and the exterior painting in 1931. In 1957, the municipality of Wohratal replaced the stove with propane gas heating with six radiators, and in 1963 also installed electric underfloor heating. In the same year the entire church interior and the lower tower staircase were renovated. In 1971 the exterior plaster and the exterior painting were renewed again.

Bells

The oldest of the bells, called the men's bell, was cast in 1520. It bears the following inscription: IN HONORE SANCTE MARIE LUCAS MARCOS MATHEAS JOANNES ANNO DNI XVCXX (In honor of St. Mary, Luke, Mark, Matthew, John. In the year of the Lord 1520). It weighs 650 kg and is tuned to the F sharp note. The dimensions are: diameter at the lower edge 100 cm, height 84 cm, height with crown 100 cm. In 1703 the bell cracked and was restored. In 1957 the lower edge was sanded to increase the tone.

The second bell was poured on July 16, 1623 and bears the inscription: ANNO DN 1623 16 IVLII A PRIORI FVSIONAE SEPTIMO IOHANNE AGRICOLA ECCLESIAE WOHRAE PASTORE GEORGIO STRACK ET SIMONE NIEDLING AERARII EIVSDEM PRAEFECTOS REDITANDEM PRAEFECTOS HENVEDI DECHEN DEVS (In the year of the Lord 1623, July 16, when Johannes Agricola was the seventh pastor of the church in Wohra, Georg Strack and Simon Niedling were head of the treasury of the same and Henchen Debus was judge of the village, me from the first casting when I bad sounds, Stephanus Andrick Sabandus renewed). The bell weighs 700 kg and is tuned to the F note. The dimensions are: diameter at the lower edge 107 cm, height 91 cm and height with crown 109 cm. This bell served the village as an alarm bell in the event of fire and enemy raids during the Thirty Years' War .

On January 13, 1942, these two bells were removed from the tower and were to be melted down for armament purposes. In 1946 they were found in the bell cemetery in Hamburg . Because of their age, they had been put on hold by the meltdown. The bells were brought to Hanau by water and from there to Wohra by truck. At Christmas 1946 the bells rang again. The attachment points were badly worn, for this reason the bells were turned by a quarter in May 1958 and fastened in the lower part of the new bell cage. In the period from January 1942 to the end of 1946 there was only one small bell in Wohra, called "Bimmche". It was cast around 1839, cracked in 1919, and was finally cast around in 1922. This bell cracked again in 1946 and was then used to cast two new bells in 1958.

The two new bells were cast on May 18, 1958. The inscription of the first reads: VIVOS VOCO (I call the living) + Pray and work . This bell weighs 330 kg and is tuned to tone A. The dimensions are: diameter at the lower edge 86 cm, height 74 cm and height with crown 88 cm. It rings three times on weekdays.

The second new bell bears the inscription: MORTUOS PLANGO (I lament the dead) + Be ready for eternity . It weighs 240 kg, making it the smallest of the four bells. It is tuned to the C note. The dimensions are: diameter at the lower edge 73 cm, height 63 cm and height with crown 75 cm. This bell is rung one day before the funeral of a member of the Wohratal community.

Organs

In 1790, eight years after the inauguration of the new building, an organ was installed and replaced 37 years later when the organ was moved from the Amöneburg collegiate church to Wohra in 1827. This was Georg Henrich Wagner created in the year 1687/1688. She stood in Wohra for another 136 years. It had a round central tower and two triangular pointed towers on the sides, in which the large pipes were. In between, the smaller pipes were set up in two two-story flat fields. The prospectus was provided with ornaments and decorations. When the wooden pipes were wormed and the sound failed, major repairs were made several times. In the end, only two of the six registers were still usable.

In 1963 a new organ was installed by Orgelbau Böttner , which is equipped with 13 registers and 984 metal pipes on two manuals and a pedal. It was inaugurated on the 4th Advent in 1963.

literature

  • Community board of the community Wohratal (ed.): Chronicle of the community Wohratal , Marburg 1995.
  • Community board of the community Wohratal (Ed.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200-year history of a Hessian village , Wohratal 1979.
  • Wilhelm Classen: The church organization of Althessen in the Middle Ages (= writings of the institute for historical regional studies of Hesse and Nassau. Vol. 8). NG Elwert'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Marburg 1929.
  • Parish council of the Evangelical Parish Wohratal (ed.): 200 years of church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Wilhelm Classen: The ecclesiastical organization of Althessen in the Middle Ages (= writings of the institute for historical regional studies of Hesse and Nassau , vol. 8). Marburg 1929, p. 40.
  2. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 47.
  3. ↑ Comparison between Count Johann I and his brother Otto. Regesta of the Counts of Ziegenhain (as of November 22, 2011). In: Landesgeschichtliches Informationssystem Hessen (LAGIS). Hessian State Office for Historical Cultural Studies (HLGL), accessed on May 26, 2013 .
  4. ^ Wilhelm Classen: The ecclesiastical organization of Althessen in the Middle Ages (= writings of the institute for historical regional studies of Hesse and Nassau , vol. 8). Marburg 1929, p. 140.
  5. ↑ a b Parish Council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (ed.): 200 years of church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 4.
  6. ^ Wilhelm Classen: The ecclesiastical organization of Althessen in the Middle Ages (= writings of the institute for historical regional studies of Hesse and Nassau , vol. 8). Marburg 1929, p. 125.
  7. ↑ Church council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (Ed.): 200 years church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 6.
  8. ↑ a b Wohra, Marburg-Biedenkopf district. Historical local lexicon for Hesse (as of July 23, 2012). In: Landesgeschichtliches Informationssystem Hessen (LAGIS). Hessian State Office for Historical Cultural Studies (HLGL), accessed on July 16, 2013 .
  9. ↑ a b Parish Council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (ed.): 200 years of church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 7.
  10. ↑ a b Parish Council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (ed.): 200 years of church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 9.
  11. ↑ Church council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (Ed.): 200 years church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 8.
  12. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 52.
  13. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 53.
  14. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 49.
  15. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 50.
  16. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 51.
  17. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, pp. 54-55.
  18. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 55.
  19. ^ Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, pp. 55-56.
  20. ↑ Church council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (Ed.): 200 years church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 5.
  21. ↑ a b Community board of the community Wohratal (Hrsg.): Heimatbuch Wohra. The 1200 year history of a Hessian village. Wohratal 1979, p. 57.
  22. ↑ Church council of the Evangelical Church Community Wohratal (Ed.): 200 years church Wohra. Festival week from April 25 to May 2, 1982. Wohratal 1982, p. 10.

Coordinates: 50 ° 56 ′ 3.5 ″  N , 8 ° 56 ′ 43.3 ″  E