St. Ludwig (Munich)

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St. Ludwig Church in Munich

Parish and University Church of St. Ludwig in Munich

Denomination : Roman Catholic
Patronage : Saint Ludwig
Consecration date : September 8, 1844
Rank: Parish and University Church
Parish : St. Ludwig
Address: Ludwigstrasse 20, 80539 Munich

Coordinates: 48 ° 8 ′ 56 ″  N , 11 ° 34 ′ 53 ″  E

The Catholic parish and university church of St. Ludwig in Munich , called Ludwigskirche , was built between 1829 and 1844 and is the first monumental church in the arched style and has the second largest frescoed altar in the world.

location

St. Ludwig (Ludwigstrasse 20) is located in the northern part of Ludwigstrasse and forms the urban development prelude to Schellingstrasse, which runs in an east-west direction . It has its own entrance to the Universität subway station on the U3 / 6.

history

View from the Maximilianeum to Ludwigskirche and the Olympic Tower
View of St. Ludwig from Schellingstrasse

founding

The Schoenfeld , who later in the Maxvorstadt should rise, lost his parish by the renovation and construction of the Royal. Ministry of War (today Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Ludwigstrasse 14 / Schönfeldstrasse 3) by Leo von Klenze , who called for the Maximilian Chapel to be demolished. King Ludwig I used this circumstance to erect a monumental building on the axis of Löwenstrasse, today's Schellingstrasse , for his boulevard, for which Leo von Klenze had already submitted initial designs. In 1828 he offered a grant of 100,000 guilders from his private box if Friedrich von Gärtner was chosen as the architect and the foundation stone would be laid next year on the day of his namesake, Ludwig the Holy , on August 25, 1829. The Magistrate of the Kgl. The capital and residence city of Munich demanded that the church be relocated to the south towards residential areas; Even the second mayor Jakob Klar , who had previously supported every request of the king, considered building in the area around Schellingstrasse for a period of up to 100 years to be unlikely. After the construction costs were estimated at around 1 million guilders, the magistrate rejected the application almost unanimously at its meeting on April 5, 1828.

Friedrich von Gärtner suspected that the Kgl, which was heavily indebted due to the land acquisitions and development costs in the Ludwigstrasse area. The capital and residence city of Munich only wanted to gain time and turned directly to Ludwig I. He threatened to relocate the university and the residence. Thereupon the magistrate gave in, although the pending repayment of French bonds brought the city to the brink of financial ruin.

The foundation stone was laid on August 25, 1829. In 1832 work had to be stopped due to the risk of war, political unrest, epidemics and the general rise in prices. Only the vault was closed and the existing frescoes were protected by an emergency roof. After the financial equalization between the city and the kingdom in 1835, work was resumed. Gärtner was personally held responsible for completion by 1842. By doing this, the Kgl. Capital and royal seat of Munich, to persuade the clumsy Peter von Cornelius to complete his frescoes.

Ludwig I did not like the result of the frescoes; he vented his anger during a joint tour of the finished church with Peter von Cornelius. This then caused a break between Ludwig I and Cornelius. Cornelius then went to Berlin . On September 8th 1844 St. Ludwig was consecrated by Archbishop Lothar Anselm Freiherr von Gebsattel and then the Kgl. The capital and residence city of Munich was handed over.

Early years up to the founding of the parish of St. Joseph

Barely a year after the consecration of the church, the first German Vincentian Conference was founded on May 17, 1845 in St. Ludwig. On that day, King Ludwig I allowed the establishment of an association to support the poor under the name of the “Society of St. Vincent de Paul ”. As early as 1832, Ludwig I had the sisters of St. Vincent von Paul come to Munich to help the sick. From this initiative a branch of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vinzenz von Paul (mother house in Munich) . The Parisian contacts of the French literary historian Léon Boré, who lived in Munich around the mid-forties of the 19th century, with Fédéric Ozanam , initiator of the Vincent communities as a form of organized Caritas, certainly promoted the creation of a Vincent Association in Munich.

After the church consecration, Carl Stumpf (1844–1866) was the first pastor to serve. He was followed by Josef Pfaffenberger (1866–1883), Jakob Rathmayer (1884–1901) and Lorenz Gallinger (1901–1910). During the latter's term of office, the interior was renovated in 1903/4. Since the frescoes in the main nave were not considered to be splendid, they were added accordingly. During the renovation in 1903/4, the parts that Gärtner left as purely colored wall surfaces were decorated using ornaments that were originally given in the choir area. However, these models were subjected to a change in that the ornamental bands and surfaces, which were kept purely in the sense of incrustations or inlays, were made three-dimensional by placing shadows and trying to enrich them with greater color. In addition, the function of the pillars had been changed by marbling the main template gray with oil paint and dividing the accompanying pilaster strips down to the base with the ornamental bands taken from the vault. This contradicted Gärtner's intention. For him, the bundles of pillars formed a unit, their edges and springs were divided by gold bands of different widths. These rising edges of light should make the pillars irrational, as they should lead into the "vaulted sky". In addition, during the repairs in 1903/4, the vault of the nave was made greenish-blue, a tone that was too light, in which not only the golden stars were incomprehensible, but also found no connection in the deep azure blue of the choir frescoes, so that the The church interior seemed to be broken up into individual parts and the unity of the room was lost. When during the renovation in 1903/4 the excessive decoration of the room largely lost its original light-flooded atmosphere, all the windows were clearly glazed. As a result, the windows became dazzling openings that only further enhanced the turmoil of the interior.

Under Pastor Sebastian Fischer (1910–1917) part of the parish was finally separated and in 1913 the parish of St. Joseph was established.

Interior panorama

Development and renovations in the 20th century

Georg Uffinger (1917–1918) and Karl Jaegerhuber (1918–1939) were initially in charge of the reduced municipal area. Under the latter, Ludwig III were in 1921 . , the last King of Bavaria until 1918, and his wife Marie Therese, who died in 1919, laid out in the Ludwigskirche.

During the Second World War and a few years later, Karl Nissl (1939–1947) served as pastor of St. Ludwig. The Ludwigskirche was badly damaged during the war. In particular, water damage was recorded in the vaulted area (the vault of the south aisle had collapsed), the windows were destroyed except for small remains, and the external plaster and numerous facade details were considerably damaged. Nevertheless, the US occupation forces confiscated the church and elevated it to a garrison church , which it remained until 1949.

During the long term of office of Pastor Anton Forsthuber (1947–1976) the reconstruction and several structural changes of the Ludwigskirche fell. In 1948 the roof was sealed. The old pattern of the roof was lost due to the severe damage and the subsequent emergency roofing in the Second World War.

In 1954 it was rebuilt by Erwin Schleich , who is considered exemplary because the changes made in 1903/4 were withdrawn. Schleich pleaded for the original shape to be worked out again. Because almost all of Gärtner's drafts are preserved in the Gärtner Collection of the Technical University of Munich , it was possible to check the design intentions, room atmosphere and execution by exposing the building on site. In addition, a perspective sheet by Gärtner has been preserved in the city ​​museum , which shows a view of the north transept from the front, south side chapel, on which all the essential details can be read. Erwin Schleich was able to compare the impression of the room in terms of color and mood on the basis of this sheet and the exposure. Originally all windows were painted with damascene ornamentation in grisaille , so that they became "self-luminous" elements that let a soft light penetrate. In a few places, especially on the large window in the north transept, the original tracery windows have been preserved, so that the original windows could be restored. In the side aisles, the windows, which were otherwise only decorated in black, had a yellow border framed by a border, which was supposed to make the connection with the particularly richly executed ornamental setting clear. The recovery of the versions on the vaults of the south aisle posed a particular difficulty. Not only did the black and white images exist in the Cottas bookstore's publication, but some remains of the pendentives were still preserved on site. It was now possible to find out which dome decoration belonged to which pendent and how the colors were to be transferred into the dome.

The new high altar was consecrated on November 10, 1957.

Finally, the 150th anniversary of the parish fair was celebrated lavishly under Pastor Helmut Hempfer (1976–1999). During his tenure in 1997, the bones of Romano Guardini, who died in 1968, were reburied in the side chapel next to the main altar in memory of his teaching activities at Munich University and his preaching activities.

New construction measures in the 21st century

Bird's eye view of the mosaic roof, which was newly covered in 2009

When the roof leaked and needed renovation, it was decided to restore the historic roofing. In the years 2007–2009 the church roof was re-covered in the mosaic pattern originally planned by the architect Friedrich von Gärtner. In the course of the roof renovation, shortly before Easter 2008, plaster bubbles were discovered in a ceiling fresco above the high altar. In order to ensure the safety of the worshipers, nets were then placed under the ceiling of the main and side aisles. The area of ​​the high altar has been closed.

On July 13, 2009, the church was temporarily closed. During an examination of the wall frescoes, an asbestos-bitumen layer was found under the plaster, which was applied in the 20th century. An air measurement did not show any increased pollution, as the asbestos was constantly sealed by the plaster. The asbestos was removed while the church was closed. The services were moved to the parish hall. The Ludwigskirche has been open again for church services and visitors since 2010.

During this time, the Ludwigskirche was headed by Bruno Fink (1999–2000), Ulrich Babinsky (2000–2011) and Richard Götz (2011–2013). The current pastor of St. Ludwig has been Markus Gottswinter since September 1, 2013.

Program and concept

St. Ludwig creates a direct visual reference to the Theatinerkirche , which stands at the beginning of the entire ensemble Odeonsplatz - Ludwigstraße on the western and thus opposite side. Thus a kind of bracket can also be observed here, which does not seem to be as well thought out as the other references. The layout of the Ludwigskirche is based on that of a three-aisled Byzantine basilica with the basic geometric figure of an Antonius cross . Thus the round arch style at St. Ludwig takes a clear return to a style whose time was characterized by a dynastic and hierarchical imperial family.

Important works of art

  • Choir fresco The Last Judgment ( Peter von Cornelius , 1836–1840)
  • Limestone figures of four evangelists with Christ ( Schwanthalerfiguren ) (design Ludwig von Schwanthaler , through him also execution of the figures Christ and Lukas)
  • Medallions of the bishops in the nave ( Gebhard Fugel , 1904)
  • Sculpture "Golgotha" (Wilhelm Breitsameter, 2003)
Altar fresco by Peter von Cornelius
The Last Judgment , Ludwigskirche, second largest altar fresco in the world;
Engraving by Merz after Cornelius Fresco until 1840
Peter von Cornelius, “The executors of God's punishment”, fresco, Munich, St. Ludwig.
Wilhelm Breitsameter: Golgotha

organ

The organ

The organ was built in 1960 by Rudolf von Beckerath Orgelbau . It has 53  stops on four manuals and a pedal . The key action is mechanical, the key action electrically.

I Rückpositiv C – g 3
1. Principal 8th'
2. Reed flute 8th'
3. Octav 4 ′
4th Coupling flute 4 ′
5. Fifth flute 2 23
6th Octav 2 ′
7th third 1 35
8th. Quint 1 13
9. Sharp V
10. Dulcian 16 ′
11. Bear whistle 8th'
II Hauptwerk C – g 3
12. Principal 16 ′
13. Octav 8th'
14th Covered 8th'
15th Octav 4 ′
16. Quint 2 23
17th Octave 2 ′
18th Mixture VI
19th Sharp IV
20th Trumpet 16 ′
21st Sp. Trumpet 8th'
22nd Sp. Trumpet 4 ′
Tremulant
III Oberwerk C – g 3
23. Wooden flute 8th'
24. Gemshorn 8th'
25th Gemshorn beat 8th'
26th Principal 4 ′
27. Reed flute 4 ′
28. Nasat 2 23
29 Forest flute 2 ′
30th Mixture IV-VI
31. Cornett III-V
32. English horn 16 ′
33. oboe 8th'
Tremulant
IV breastwork C – g 3
34. Wooden dacked 8th'
35. Wooden principal 4 ′
36. Gemshorn 2 ′
37. Nasat 1 13
38. Sif flute 1'
39. Terzian II
40. Quintzimbel III-IV
41. Krummhorn 8th'
Tremulant
Pedal C – f 1
42. Principal 16 ′
43. Sub bass 16 ′
44. Octav 8th'
45. Pointed 8th'
46. Quint 10 23
47. Metal flute 4 ′
48. Night horn 2 ′
49. Rauschpfeife III
50. Mixture VI
51. trombone 16 ′
52. Trumpet 8th'
53. Trumpet 4 ′

Bells

St. Ludwig owns six bells that are named after the patron saints of Ludwig I's closest family circle. They hang in the two 71 meter high towers. In the south tower hang the Ludwig and Theresa bells (named after the patrons of the royal couple), in the north tower are the Maximilians, Otto, Luitpold and Adalbert bells (named after the patrons of their children). The strike tone sequence is: a 0 –c 1 –e 1 –g 1 –b 1 –c 2 . Bells 1, 3 and 4 were cast by Johann Frühholz in 1839. The large Ludwig Bell weighs 3,880 kg. It rings for about seven minutes every Friday at 3 p.m. to commemorate the hour of Jesus' death. Bells 2 and 5 were cast by Czudnochowsky in Erding in 1959.

local community

The parish area today includes the eastern part of Maxvorstadt and the southernmost part of Schwabing . The Sprengel is bordered in the north by Franz-Joseph-Strasse and Martiusstrasse , in the east by the Eisbach , so that a substantial area of ​​the southern English Garden with the Chinese Tower and the Monopteros lies in the parish. In the south, Von-der-Tann-Strasse and Oskar-von-Miller-Ring as well as Theresienstrasse form the border with the neighboring parish of St. Bonifaz. Arcisstrasse separates St. Ludwig from the neighboring parish of St. Joseph, although the Old Northern Cemetery still belongs to the parish of St. Ludwig.

The community is characterized by its simultaneous role as a university church and its proximity to the Ludwig Maximilians University . It still has a Vincentian Conference, and since 1904 a parish library, as well as two kindergartens and a parish letter. The Maronist Congregation also regularly celebrates services in the Ludwigskirche. St. Ludwig is also involved in ecumenism .

University preacher

Other personalities

literature

  • The Ludwig Church in Munich . In: Illustrirte Zeitung . No. 38 . J. J. Weber, Leipzig March 16, 1844, p. 187-190 ( books.google.de ).
  • Oswald Hederer: The Ludwig Church in Munich. History and leadership . 2nd, completely revised edition. Schnell & Steiner, Munich, Zurich 1977, ISBN 3-7954-0509-2 .
  • Klaus Gallas : Munich. From the Guelph foundation of Henry the Lion to the present: art, culture, history . DuMont, Cologne 1979, ISBN 3-7701-1094-3 (DuMont documents: DuMont art travel guide).
  • Helmut Hempfer , Peter Pfister (ed.): St. Ludwig in Munich. 150 years of the parish 1844–1994. Anton H. Konrad, Weißenhorn 1994, ISBN 3-87437-357-6 .
  • St. Ludwig in Munich. Church politics, church building and church life. An exhibition by the Bavarian Main State Archives and the parish of St. Ludwig on the 150th anniversary of the founding by King Ludwig I, exhibition catalogs of the Bavarian State Archives 35, General Directorate of the Bavarian State Archives 1995, ISBN 3-921635-35-7
  • Ulrich Babinsky (ed.): A lively parish. Herbert Utz, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8316-0839-3 .

Web links

Commons : St. Ludwig  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ St. Vinzentius Central Association: Socially active for over 150 years. Retrieved June 20, 2019 .
  2. Martin Spaenle: Establishment of road safety and asbestos removal 2009/2010. (No longer available online.) November 29, 2010, archived from the original on May 11, 2016 ; accessed on May 11, 2016 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.st-ludwig-muenchen.de
  3. ^ Renate Geigel: Man for two communities. In: mk-online.de. Retrieved December 9, 2018 .
  4. ^ GIS of the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising. Retrieved June 24, 2019 .