St. Pantaleon (Unkel)

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St. Pantaleon from the west (Rhine)
South side of St. Pantaleon

St. Pantaleon is a three-aisled late Gothic hall church in Unkel in the city center, the oldest parts of which date back to the Romanesque period. Church is St. Pantaleon consecrated , belongs to the Catholic Church and is the parish church of the parish Unkel.

history

A first church probably already existed in the time of the Palatine count. Around 1200 a single-nave, Romanesque church with a flat roof was built. The central nave was much higher than the narrow side aisles, which were added at the end of the 13th century, the outer walls of which were roughly in the middle of today's and were about 1 m thick. At that time the floor was about 30 cm lower than it is today and was laid out with square clay tiles. The walls between the central nave and the side aisles had been broken open and were supported by basalt columns. The eastern pair of columns has been preserved, the tower, albeit with a different hood, also dates from this time and protrudes into the western yoke of the central nave. In the 14th century the Romanesque choir was replaced by a three-sided, early Gothic vaulted one. The central nave was also vaulted for the first time. A Gothic basilica was created through the attached aisles .

In 1502 the church got its current appearance as a three-aisled, late-Gothic hall church when the aisles were widened and raised. A bell storey was placed on the tower, the choir was lengthened by a yoke and the church was vaulted, except for the north aisle. The gallery, which reached to the western pair of columns, was reduced in size. The southern sacristy was also added in the 16th century and the northern one in 1903.

During a restoration from 1972–1975, the staircase was redesigned as the last structural change to date.

Furnishing

Interior with a view of the high altar

The church houses many art treasures from several centuries.

Altars

High altar

The baroque high altar dates from 1705. Donated by the Cologne Councilor Andreas Eschenbrender, it shows a repetition of the painting by the Italian artist Mattia Preti , who had died when the altar was erected, between two twisted pairs of columns . It shows a miraculous healing of the church patron Pantaleon, who brings a child back to life that was previously bitten by a venomous snake. The family coat of arms with the donor's three clover leaves can be found above the frame of the upwardly curved picture. Above the left pair of columns is a figure of St. Peter the Apostle, sitting on one half of a blown segmented pediment, and St. Andrew the Apostle on the corresponding right side. In the extension of the high altar, which is about the width of the painting mentioned, there is a smaller oval picture that shows the adoration of the wise, the epiphany. This picture is flanked by only one column on each side. The altar is crowned by a semi-arch, over which an octagonal star is attached. In the Rococo period, the tabernacle was placed in front of the actual high altar, above the cafeteria. In its splendid structure you will find a special feature: Here is a cross framed by angels, fruits and foliage. This part is rotatable. For example, a golden cross appears on festive days, flanked by magnificent foliage, etc., and on the other days a rather simple cross, framed by rather simple putti, foliage, etc. The niche of this cross can be rotated again so that you can depending on Occasion can choose between two colors. On the tabernacle, in turn, there are three figures of two angels flanking the apocalyptic lamb lying on the book with the seven seals.

Mary Altar

The right side altar is originally from 1690. It was first consecrated to St. Nicholas, but became a Marian altar as early as 1700. In 1880 a replica of the Lourdes Madonna took the place of the previous Madonna, which was then placed in the chapel in Unkel-Scheuren. As early as 1930, however, a newly created Madonna by a Düsseldorf artist took its place. In keeping with this, two new assistant figures were also placed, and the previous ones found a new place on the confessionals. The Lourdes Madonna was placed in a grotto in the garden of the Christian monastery, where it still stands today. In 1990, the altar was finally restored to its original shape: the Madonna and the assistant figures from 1930 were brought to the Scheuren chapel, and the old Madonna was returned to the church. The two assistant figures of St. Lawrence and St. Mary Magdalene also came back to the altar. The altar is crowned by a figure of St. Joseph with the child.

Herresdorf, cross or Anne altar

The left side altar from the Renaissance dates from 1630 and was donated by the brothers Adam and Bertram of the Herresdorf patrician family as a votive altar. It is a relief altar made of fine-grain imported limestone. In the main part there is a relief with the motif of Mary going to the temple. Below that, in a horizontal strip, are shown kneeling and praying, family members of the Herresdorf family. The relief is flanked by two Corinthian columns. On the outside there is the depiction of the School of Mary as an assistant figure on the left, and St. Pantaleon on the right. Below the base of the figures there are also family members, in total, with the above-mentioned horizontal stripe, the whole family with their 18 children is depicted on this altar. In the excerpt from the altar another relief bears the motif of the Adoration of the Shepherds. To the left and right of it are figures of St. Mary and St. John, which look upwards, because the altar is crowned by a wooden crucifix, to the left of it, Mary kneeling, made of wood. This group of figures, dated from 1577, probably comes from a cross altar that previously stood at this point. Overall, the altar has many design features from the Renaissance era.

Pantaleon altar

This former high altar dates from the first half of the 15th century. The reredos and the side wings have been lost. What remains are the figures in the middle section. They show 10 scenes from the life of St. Pantaleon and stand under ornately carved canopies and three figures of saints: The Mother of God with Child, St. Mary Magdalene and a third saint. Today these figures have been placed in a new reredos on the north wall of the Fourteen Helpers Chapel.

Other furnishings

South aisle

The painting “Ecce homo” dates from around 1618 and was donated by the Linz mayor Gottfried Salzfaß and his wife, who are also immortalized on the painting as donors.

The two confessionals date from the Baroque period and are crowned by the figures of the plague saints Sebastian and Rochus.

The valuable embroidery of the antependium from 1601 shows the root of Jesse, i.e. the family tree of Jesus, and was previously hung in front of the cafeteria of the high altar on high feast days. Today it is kept lying flat.

The saint figure “St. Pantaleon ”is attached to a column in the aisle. This late Gothic sculpture shows the holy Pantaleon as a doctor. The dark wooden sculpture of the Man of Sorrows from the 14th century is attached to another column. Before Easter, she stands on the altar table of the Herresdorf Altar, dressed in a red coat. The replica of a late Gothic Cologne Pietà is set up in a modern, forged case under the gallery.

Main nave

The life-size crucifix from 1540 hangs on the west wall of the main nave. Originally it hung on the outer wall of the choir. A wrought-iron sconce from the workshop of Tillmann von Unkel is also attached to the west wall. It is decorated with wine motifs. In front of the transition to the choir hangs an approximately 3 meter high, seven-armed candlestick from 1527, which has artistically forged, carved angels, on the one hand carrying instruments of Jesus' passion and on the other hand candlesticks. They are still in their original color. Three angels at the upper end of the candlestick wear a crown, at the lower end the inscription "O mater Dei nostri miserere anno 1572" (O mother of our Lord, have mercy) is painted on the bowl.

The baroque pulpit from 1714 shows the four evangelists with their attributes on the pulpit in shell niches. The four great church fathers, Augustine, Ambrosius, Hieronymus and Gregorius are shown as figures on the sound cover. A figure of Jesus as judge of the world stands on an elevation supported by volutes. With its winding columns and decorations, it is adapted to the high altar.

The communion bench also dates from 1714. It is carved from wood and divided into six fields, two of which are firmly anchored on the outside left and two on the right, and the two can be opened in the middle. They serve as a passage to the chancel. From left to right there are the following motifs: Christ's body and blood; the prophet Elijah receives divine food from an angel; "As a deer for springs of water, so my soul thirsts for the Lord"; the water breaks from the wall of the temple; the paschal lamb; the pelican. On the left and right of the choir wall there are wooden choir benches from 1714 with four seats each. They are also adapted to the high altar. They are richly decorated. Communion bench and choir stalls are foundations of Gottfried Eschenbrender, as indicated by his coat of arms.

In front of the high altar hangs a richly decorated silver eternal light traffic light, which was created in Augsburg in 1696 and which today carries the eternal light .

North aisle

Leaded glass window with St. Philip and St. Pantaleon (right) on the north side of the choir

On the north wall of the church hangs a large oil painting from 1714 showing the fourteen helpers in need. The painting with the Lamentation of Christ from the 17th century is classified in Rubens' context . In parallel to the pantaleon figure in the south aisle, there is a late Gothic sculpture of the School of Mary on a column.

14 Chapel of the Holy Helpers

The 14th Helper Chapel is housed in the western yoke of the north aisle, at the same time the baptistery and separated from the church by a grid.

The font is Unkel's oldest work of art. It is late Romanesque and made of basalt. Six columns surround the mighty basin and are connected at the top by a continuous frieze . The bronze lid is modern. A special work of art in the church is the wooden reliquary from around 1460. It is attributed to a Cologne artist under the influence of Stephan Lochner. The colored version of the shrine, which temporarily preserved the remains of St. Pantaleon, was only rediscovered by chance in 1957: scenes from the life of Pantaleon are depicted on the long sides, the Christmas story on the roof surfaces and the doctors Pantaleon, Cosmas and Damian on one narrow side. Today the altar stands under a glass coffin, protected from dust.

The 14 emergency helpers, Pantaleon is one of them, adorn a relief from 1714 on the west wall of the chapel. Since 1976 the chapel has been separated from the church interior by a forged grille with 14 candlesticks. 13 of the almost life-size figures of the 14 emergency helpers from 1728/1729 are attached to the chapel walls, only the figure of St. Christopher hangs in front of the chapel due to lack of space. These figures were all donated by citizens of Unkel. During the Second World War they were walled in under the tower.

organ

A foundation in 1690 led to the installation of an organ three years later . Around 1785 a new instrument is said to have been purchased on which the young Beethoven is said to have played. In the 1860s the organ was lost and was replaced in 1867 by the organ builder Ludwig Hünd. In 1877 a repair followed and in 1892 a transfer to the south-west gallery by Johann Stockhausen. The organ has been rebuilt several times over the years, most recently in 1986 by Weimbs Orgelbau , reusing the neo-Gothic case from Hünd and the material from the previous organ . The slider chest instrument has 20 stops on two manual works and a pedal . The playing and register actions are mechanical. The disposition is as follows:

I Hauptwerk C – g 3
Principal 8th' 1986
Drone 8th' 1867
Octave 4 ′ 1864
Covered 4 ′ 1864
Flageolet 2 ′ 1986
Fifth
(previously Mixture IV)		 1 1 ⁄ 3  ′
Mixture IV 1 1 ⁄ 3  ′ 1986
Trumpet 8th' 1867
II Hinterwerk C – f 3
Hollow pipe 8th' 1867
Salicional 8th' 1937
Vox coelestis 8th' 1937
Flauto dolce 4 ′ 1867
Principal 2 ′ 1867
Fifth
(previously sesquial II)		 2 2 ⁄ 3  ′
Sesquialter II 2 2 ⁄ 3  ′ 1986
Scharff III 1' 1986
Pedal C – f 1
Sub-bass 16 ′ 1867
Principal bass 8th' 1867
Covered bass 8th'
Tenor octave 4 ′
Chorale bass 2 ′ 1986
trombone 16 ′
  • Coupling : II / I, I / P, II / P
  • The tremulant affects the entire system.

The 14 emergency helpers

The 14 emergency helpers have always been of great importance to the Unkel Church. Saint Pantaleon is one of them. In 1698, for example, pastor Gottfried Eschenbrender founded a brotherhood of 14 helpers in need, which was resumed as a prayer community in 1985. Eschenbrender also wanted to set up a small monastery, but it never did. In 1728/1729 the large figures of the needy helpers were donated. The emergency helpers can be found everywhere in the church, be it in the form of figures, paintings or flags. There are a total of 14 newer flags that are carried in festive processions. Today, on the commemoration days of the 14 Holy Holy Helpers, devotions take place, during which the respective flag hangs on the pulpit.

Bells

The Unkel church has 6 bells. These include the four large bells in the west tower, the former hour bells (which has been in service as a soloist again for some time), and the small bell in the roof turret at the end of the choir (little measuring bell).

history

The smallest bell, the measuring bell, dates from 1479. It was first recorded in 1961 when the tower was renovated. Until 1992 it could only be rung by hand. The Pantaleon bell dates from 1550, the Magdalene bell from 1556, cast by Derich von Köln, who was also active in the neighboring Rheinbreitbach . There is also an hour bell that not much is known about. It was dismantled a few years ago because of its poor condition and again put into service in the tower. The Gothic minuscule inscription suggests a higher age (around 1420). In 1786 the bell was extended to include the Walburgis bell, and in 1836 the Jesus-Maria-Joseph bell. These two bells had to be given to Kriegsmetall AG during World War I and never came back. In 1925, the parish decided to purchase 3 new bells: The commemorative bell for the fallen and the Jesus-Maria-Joseph bell were paid for by the pastor Vaassen, the smaller Archangel Michael bell was paid for by the parish. But less than 20 years later, these bells also had to be delivered. In 1952 the decision was made to purchase two new bells: the Bell of Our Lady and the Bell of Joseph. However, for reasons of cost, these were made of steel and were too heavy for the wooden, medieval belfry and bell holders. In 1991 it was therefore decided to replace the two bells with the Martinus bell and the Marienglocke. The parish church in Unkel now has 5 bells in addition to the measuring bell. Including two from the 16th and two from the 20th century.

Current bell

No. Surname Indienst-
position 		Foundry, casting location Height (cm) Mass (kg) Nominal Inscription and decorations
1 Measuring bells St. Maria and Johann 1479 unknown 43 44 ~ c 3 MCCCCLXXVIIII (1479) , MARIA AND SENT JOHANN
2 Pantaleon bell 1550 Derich von Ouerraide, Cologne 125 1920 d 1 SANCTUS PANTALEON I ASK FOR YOUR GOTZ ROUFFEN I DE DOEDEN DESCRIBE O SUNDER YOU CONVERT SO GIVE YOU GOD SIN ETERNAL RICH. DERICH VON COELLEN GIUS MICH ANNO MDL (1550) The bell is decorated with ornaments, four images also show the flagellation, the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross and the crucifixion of Christ.
3 Magdalene Bell (Et Füsschen) 1556 Derich von Ouerraide, Cologne 74 375 a 1 SANCTA MARIA MAGDALENA I ASK TZOM DEINST GOTZ ROUFFEN I DEDERICH VON COELLEN GIUS ANNO 1556 It is decorated like the pantaleon bell, but with depictions of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the adoration of the three kings.
4th Marienbell 1991 Hans August Mark, Brockscheid 125 1186 e 1 TE CANO VOCE PIA TIBI CLANGO VIRGO MARIA (I sing about you with a pious voice, for you I sound the Virgin Mary) , PLE DEDERUNTWILLI BRAUNS EXPAROCHUS UNCKELLENSIS ET ELISABETH HELDEKRUEGER (Fromm gave me a gift from Willi Brauns, the former pastor of Unkel and Elisabeth Heide)
5 Martinus bell 1991 Hans August Mark, Brockscheid 108 804 f sharp 1 IN SANCTI MARTINI HONOREM NON RECUSO LABOREM (In honor of St. Martin, I do not refuse the work) , MARTINUS BURGWINKEL CIVIS UNKELENSIS DEVOTE CLANGERE CURAVIT (Martin Burgwinkel, Unkeler citizen, made me sound reverently)
6th Hour bells /

Poor sinners bells

15th century g sharp 2 ave maria gratia plena dominus tecum benedictatus [sic]

Former bells

No. Surname Indienst-
position 		Außerdienst-
position 		Foundry, casting location Height (cm) Mass (kg) Nominal Inscription and decorations
Jesus-Maria-Joseph bell 1786 (in Unkel from 1836) 1918 Georg Claren, Sieglar 118 1600 cis 1 CASTED; BY GEORG CLAREN IN SIEGLAR, FUSA 1786, ET IAM 1823, TRISTEM PI VII PONTIF. MAX. OBITUM DEPLORANS, RUPTA, TANDEM 1836 SUMPTIBUS CIV. UNKEL DONISQUE BENEFACTORUM RESTAURATA DENVO DOM LAUDO, VIVOS VOCO, MORTUSQUE PLANGO
Walburgis bell 1786 1918 90 930 f sharp 1 FRANC.CASP. DE HERRESTORFF LJCIVIT COL.CONS.JONS. ET IUSSU NOBILI MATRINAE ELISABETHAE AB HERRESTORFF NATAE DE PUTZ WALBURGIS APPELLOR ME BENEDIXIT GER. JOS. DE HERRESTORFF METROP. ECCLES, COL. CANON CAP. DECAN S. SEVERINI COL. BENEFACTORES SUB MAXIMIL.FRANC.ARCHID AUSTR. ARCHIEP. ET EL. COLON. PROCURANTE SENATU CIV. UNKEL CAMPANA HAEC FUSA PER RINCKER MDCCLXXXVI (1786)
Fallen memorial bell 1925 1945 1385 e 1 The names of the fallen in WWI. BELLA NECES RETICENT, PACIS REGINA BENIGNA EXORLARE VIRIS DE PATRIA MERITI. (War and struggle are silent. Look down, benevolent Queen of Peace, on the men who have rendered service to the homeland.)
Jesus-Maria-Joseph bell 1925 1945 875 f sharp 1 HOLY JOSEPH ON YOU I AM BAPTIZED IN UNKEL AM RHEIN. HEAR THE RELIGIOUS PRAYER WHEN YOU HAVE UNITED MY CALL.
Archangel Michael Bell 1925 1945 571 a 1 LUCIFERUM TENEBRAS MICHAEL DEMISIT IN IMAS: AD SUPEROS NOBIS LUCIDA SIGNA FERAT (St. Michael the Evil fell deep into the dark abyss. May he lead us to the light on a heavenly path)
Our Lady Bell 1952 1991 Bochum association for cast steel production 1015 e 1 MOTHER OF PEACE MARY QUEEN BLESS THE HOME: BE A HEART OF OUR HEROES IN THE ETERNAL LAND 1952 The front was adorned with a Maria in a wreath of stars.
Joseph Bell 1952 1991 Bochum association for cast steel production 585 g 1 SAINT JOSEPH IN YOU AM BAPTIZED IN UNKEL AM RHEIN: HEAR THE RELIGIOUS PRAYER WHEN MY CALL UNITED 1952

Theological interpretation

Hermann Joh. Weber to St. Pantaelon: “The goal is (...) not an aesthetic feeling , although that may resonate, but the faith , the act of faith in turning to God in prayer and in life and suffering from the Christian spirit . This is what the works of art are made for, and that is where they want to lead us. "

Pastor at St. Pantaleon

In a document from 1202 it is mentioned for the first time that the Unkel church is looked after by a clergyman: Vicar Heinrich Hecht. The records from this period are very sketchy. So it goes on with Fimianus Nodeck, of whom only the year 1522 has survived. It continues with Jodocus Morlian (1574), followed by Johann Breidtbach (1581) and Theodor Furdt von Sohr (1589). This is followed by Nikolaus Krey, Sebastian Feiden and Peter Königsfeld without any dates. From 1596 there are records of the term of office:

  • 1596–1600: Friedrich Mürll
  • 1600–1607: Johannes Heiden
  • 1607–1658: Antonius Johannes Honnef
  • 1658–1666: Peter Stemmeler
  • 1666–1684: Adolf Düssel
  • 1685–1723: Gottfried Eschenbrender
  • 1723–1738: Johann Adolf Röttgen
  • 1738–1771: Johannes Heinrich Ignaz Müller
  • 1771–1793: Heinrich Gressenich
  • 1793–1809: Peter Josef Andreas Bachem
  • 1811–1828: Johannes Mathias Winterschladen
  • 1828–1844: Gottfried Strauss
  • 1844–1864: Theodor Köppchen
  • 1864–1870: Wilhelm Tangermann
  • 1870–1895: Johannes Heinrich Stolten
  • 1896–1910: Jakob Scheltenbach
  • 1910–1914: Franz X. Erdweg
  • 1914–1921: Gregor Schwamborn
  • 1921–1941: Joseph Vaassen
  • 1942–1957: Josef Kremer
  • 1957–1977: Willi Brauns
  • 1977–1997: Bruno Wegener
  • 1997–2018: Andreas Arend
  • since 2018 0 : Michael Ottersbach

Gottfried Eschenbrender

Gottfried Eschenbrender was Unkel's most important pastor. From 1673 he had to read the early mass in St. Pantaleon, as well as to do the service at the Scheurener chapel. However, this was destroyed since 1583. Eschenbrender had it rebuilt. In 1685 he became pastor at St. Pantaleon for 37 years. Here he began to renovate the rectory and the church. Then he took care of the splendid baroque furnishings. He also founded the Brotherhood of 14 Helpers in Need. Thanks to his extensive records and research, there are many sources on the history of the parish.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 402.
  2. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 403.
  3. ↑ a b Brief overview of the building history of the parish church of St. Pantaleon , accessed on August 24, 2019.
  4. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 404.
  5. ^ Dehio: Handbook of German Art Monuments, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland. 1984, p. 1090.
  6. ↑ a b Neu, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 409.
  7. ↑ a b c d Notes on some of the numerous pieces of equipment , accessed on August 24, 2019.
  8. ↑ a b c Neu, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 410.
  9. ^ A b c Dehio: Handbook of German Art Monuments, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland. 1984, p. 1091.
  10. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 416.
  11. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 411.
  12. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 408.
  13. ↑ New, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 413
  14. ^ Franz Bösken , Hermann Fischer , Matthias Thömmes: Sources and research on the organ history of the Middle Rhine (=  contributions to the Middle Rhine music history . Volume 40 ). tape 4 : Koblenz and Trier administrative districts, Altenkirchen and Neuwied districts . Schott, Mainz 2005, ISBN 978-3-7957-1342-3 , pp. 1161 .
  15. ↑ Information on the organ , accessed on August 9, 2019.
  16. ↑ Jan Hendrik Stens: The bells of St. Maria Magdalena zu Rheinbreitbach , accessed on August 9, 2019 (PDF).
  17. ↑ a b Neu, Weigert: The art monuments of the Neuwied district. 1940, p. 414.
  18. ↑ Weber: Salvation is in the cross. 1977, pp. 6-7.

Web links

Commons : St. Pantaleon  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 50 ° 35 ′ 53.5 ″  N , 7 ° 12 ′ 48.8 ″  E