Pfarrkirche

In the heart of Coburg, Germany, the Pfarrkirche, also known by its local name Morizkirche, stands as a testament to centuries of architectural evolution and historical significance. This Evangelical Lutheran parish church, the oldest in Coburg, invites visitors to explore a rich tapestry of history that dates back to the 13th century. As you wander through its hallowed halls, you can almost hear the echoes of the past whispering stories of medieval monks, reformers, and dukes.

The Historical Tapestry of Pfarrkirche

The origins of Pfarrkirche trace back to the 11th century when the first church likely stood on this site. By 1189, records mention a church here, which was replaced around 1250 by a Romanesque basilica. The name Morizkirche first appeared in documents at the beginning of the 14th century, referencing St. Mauritius. The oldest surviving part of the church today is the Gothic long choir, constructed between 1380 and 1400, which served the Benedictine monks of the St. Peter and Paul monastery until their convent dissolved in 1525.

The church underwent significant transformations over the centuries. Around 1420, the reconstruction of the west front began, starting with the south tower. By 1519, the vaults were completed, and the north tower reached its full height by 1456. Interestingly, the north tower was initially topped with a pointed lead-covered helmet in 1560 but received a distinctive lantern in 1586. The south tower, known as the Rabenturm, remained unfinished and was capped with slate.

The early 16th century saw further developments under the guidance of master builder Hans Gris, followed by Conrad Krebs. The construction of the late Gothic nave began in 1520, and by 1532, the roof structure was completed. Due to financial constraints, a wooden flat ceiling supported by eight tall columns was installed instead of a more elaborate net vault. The interior was further enhanced in 1541 with a stone floor.

A Hub of Reformation and Renaissance

The Pfarrkirche became a focal point during the Reformation. In 1520, Balthasar Düring arrived in Coburg and emerged as a leading reformer. The first service following the new Protestant liturgy was held in 1524. Martin Luther himself preached here seven times during Easter week in 1530 while staying at the Veste Coburg.

Under the patronage of Duke Johann Casimir, the church's interior received significant enhancements. In 1585, the wooden ceiling of the nave was adorned with a painted coffered pattern by Wolfgang Sichelschmidt. The duke also transformed the choir into the ducal burial site, commissioning a grand epitaph for his father, Johann Friedrich the Middle, in 1598. The tomb became the final resting place for members of the ducal house until 1860.

Baroque Transformation and Modern Restoration

Between 1740 and 1742, Duke Franz Josias commissioned David Steingruber to redesign the church's interior into a Baroque gallery hall. This renovation removed many elements of the old Gothic church, including the pulpit from which Luther had preached. The new design emphasized a spacious and bright community hall, featuring two-story, roomy galleries and a stuccoed ceiling adorned with Rococo ornaments by Italian artist Carlo Baldini Bossi.

Since then, the church has remained largely unchanged, aside from maintenance and window repairs. Major interior renovations took place between 1926 and 1929, followed by exterior work on the west part in 1934. Another extensive interior renovation occurred in 1970/1971, including the reconfiguration of the altar area under the triumphal arch, based on designs by Munich professor Johannes Ludwig. Subsequent restorations focused on preserving the stucco ceiling over the organ in 1988/1989 and exterior work on the choir in 2003/2004. The most recent renovation from April 2014 to April 2016 revitalized the church interior and the epitaph at a cost of around 1.4 million euros.

Architectural Splendor

The Pfarrkirche is a Gothic hall church with a long choir, measuring 62 meters in length and up to 33 meters in width. The choir features a five-eighths closure and a ribbed vault with three bays and dish keystones. The sides are divided by four buttresses, and the southeast buttress originally served as the churchyard portal. A small spiral staircase tower stands at the southwest corner, connecting to the nave. The steep roof structure is a saddle roof with a span of about 9.2 meters, a height of approximately 9.8 meters, and a length of around 21 meters. The choir is separated from the nave by a pointed triumphal arch.

The nave, a flat-ceilinged gallery hall with three equally high aisles, is offset from the choir axis. The north facade facing the old town is more elaborately designed than the south side, featuring triple-stepped buttresses and busts, half-figures, and mythical creatures representing the seven deadly sins. The south facade received a new entrance portal in 1740, creating a symmetrical alignment with the north facade. A sundial was added to the eastern buttress in 1917. The side aisles have two-story galleries, and the flat ceiling is supported by eight columns with a stuccoed ceiling mirror. The saddle roof spans about 24.1 meters, with a height of approximately 19.8 meters and a length of 27.2 meters.

Notable Features and Artifacts

The church's interior boasts several noteworthy features. Among them is the epitaph for Duke Johann Friedrich the Middle and his wife Elisabeth of the Palatinate, created by sculptor Nikolaus Bergner in 1598. This 13.66-meter-high and 6.55-meter-wide alabaster tomb is considered one of the finest Renaissance epitaphs in Germany.

Other significant artifacts include a colorful baptismal font from 1539, a relief of a children's round dance by Jörg Diener, and metal grave plates in the choir. The north-east corner houses the impressive, sculpted grave plate for Duke Johann Casimir, crafted by Coburg bronze caster Georg Werther. Adjacent is the two-part engraved plate for Johann Ernst by Nuremberg gunsmith Bernhard Eberlein. The south wall features the plaque for Johann Friedrich the Middle and his wife Elisabeth, created by Nuremberg caster Benedikt Wurzelbauer based on a design by Peter Sengelaub in 1595. The crypt contains the sarcophagus of Duke Albrecht.

A stone three-seater on the north side of the choir, dating from around 1360 to 1380, adds to the historical ambiance. The altar, made of light maple wood and created by Munich artist Werner Mally in 2016, consists of five movable elements and is located on the stepped platform between the choir and the nave.

In conclusion, the Pfarrkirche in Coburg is not just a place of worship but a living museum of architectural styles and historical epochs. Its walls and artifacts tell the story of Coburg's religious, cultural, and political evolution, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in history, art, and architecture.