Village church (Schlewecke, Bad Harzburg)

The Village church, known locally as Dorfkirche, in Bad Harzburg, Niedersachsen, Germany, is a charming baroque half-timbered church that stands as a testament to the region's rich history and architectural beauty. Nestled in the picturesque district of Schlewecke, this quaint church offers visitors a glimpse into the past and a serene place for reflection.

The History of the Village Church

The history of the Village church is deeply intertwined with the history of Schlewecke, which is likely the oldest settlement in the former Harzburg district. The first mention of Schlewecke dates back to 1181 in a document from Goslar. The original church in Schlewecke, which was mentioned in the records of the Ilsenburg Monastery in 1496, stood on the grounds of what are now the properties at Kirchenbrink 2 and 4. This church was initially independent and served by vicars from the Goslar Cathedral Chapter until 1498, when it was incorporated into the St. Andreas Church in Bündheim. This incorporation was dissolved during the Reformation, and the church was subsequently listed as a filial church of the Harlingerode Marienkirche in visitation protocols from 1542 and 1568.

By 1698, it became clear that a new church was needed as the old one had fallen into disrepair. With a modest initial budget of six guilders, the construction of the new church eventually cost 300 times that amount. With the permission of Duke Rudolf August, who held the church patronage, and the ducal consistory, funds were collected for the construction. The building began in 1702 on the southern side of the Mühlenbach, near the confluence with the Gläsecke. The new church was consecrated on June 10, 1708, by the Harzburg superintendent and provost of the Frankenberg Monastery in Goslar. Following the consecration, the old church was demolished.

Architectural Features

The Village church is a classic example of a half-timbered hall church, featuring a slate-covered gabled roof with an octagonal roof turret topped with a Welsche Haube on the western side. In 1857, the original slate roof was replaced with roof tiles. The interior of the church is illuminated by eight large windows, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

Among the notable features of the church is a bell cast in 1684 by a bell-founder from Wolfenbüttel for the old church. When this bell became too damaged to ring, a new bell was acquired in 1934 from the Schilling bell foundry. Additionally, in 1873, a decree mandated that public buildings, including the church, should be equipped with a clock. The church's tower clock, operated by a mechanical movement from the J. F. Weule company, remained in service until 1967. Today, the clock and its chime mechanism are powered electronically, but the original clockwork is displayed as an exhibit within the church.

Interior and Furnishings

The interior of the Village church is adorned with a hand-carved pulpit altar and a baptismal angel, both created by the Goslar woodcarver Jobst Heinrich Lessen. A unique feature is the depiction of the Old Testament priest Aaron, which is a rare representation. The walls of the church are decorated with two epitaphs from the old church, and a painting of the Crucifixion by E. Teich from 1861 adds to the church's artistic heritage. The chandeliers, dating from the 19th century, originally used candles to light the church.

Beside the pulpit, there is an 18th-century hourglass divided into quarter-hour, half-hour, three-quarter-hour, and full-hour increments, likely used to ensure the sermons were of appropriate length. The baptismal angel, a work of high artistic quality, was ordered to be removed and stored in the church attic in 1846 by General Superintendent Carl Hermann Leopold Stöter. It was only at the end of the last century that it was restored to its rightful place.

The Church Organ

The Village church has a rich musical history. In 1658, a citizen from Oker donated an organ to the old church, as the residents of Oker attended services in Schlewecke due to the lack of a church in their own village. For the new church, an organ with nine registers was built in 1708 by Johann Adolarius Papenius from Stolberg. In 1933, new organ pipes were installed by the Sander brothers' organ workshop. When this organ became unplayable, a small electronic organ was purchased. In 1975, a new organ with two manuals and 13 registers was acquired from the Emil Hammer Orgelbau company, incorporating four registers from the old organ.

The Altar Bible

The altar Bible is a significant artifact within the Village church. Measuring 40 cm tall and weighing 6 kg, this Bible arrived in Schlewecke in 1994 as a loan from a family in Burgdorf. It had previously belonged to a citizen of Schlewecke, a close friend of the Burgdorf family, who donated it to her home church for its 300th anniversary. The Bible is bound in wood with iron fittings, with the year 1726 inscribed on the cover, indicating its completion. The first page bears the Roman numerals M DCC XXV, signifying the year 1725 when it was begun. The Bible is illustrated with copper engravings and printed with ornate letters on cellulose paper, ensuring its durability over the centuries.

In conclusion, the Village church in Bad Harzburg is not just a place of worship but a historical landmark that tells the story of the community's resilience and dedication. Its architectural beauty, rich history, and treasured artifacts make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the region.