Maria vom Frieden

Maria vom Frieden, nestled in the serene district of Erbach in Homburg, Saarland, Germany, is a Catholic parish church that stands as a beacon of peace and spirituality. This architectural marvel, dedicated to Mary, Queen of Peace, serves as the central place of worship for the parish of Holy John XXIII in Homburg. The church's tranquil ambiance and rich history make it a must-visit for both pilgrims and tourists alike.

The History of Maria vom Frieden

The story of Maria vom Frieden began in the early 1950s when the parish of St. Andreas in Erbach was divided into two separate areas. The construction of the church for the newly formed southern parish began on December 17, 1953, based on the designs of Wilhelm Schulte Jr., the diocesan architect from Speyer. The cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1954, coinciding with the octave day of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which is now celebrated as the Feast of Mary, Queen of Peace.

Construction progressed swiftly, and within a year, the church's structure was ready for its topping-out ceremony. On May 6, 1956, Bishop Isidor Markus Emanuel of Speyer consecrated the completed church, marking the beginning of its spiritual journey. Over the next few years, additional structures such as the parish house, the sisters' house, and the kindergarten were built, further establishing the church's role in the community.

In 1960, Maria vom Frieden was officially separated from St. Andreas, becoming an independent parish. The church underwent significant restorations between 2007 and 2009, led by the planning office of Andreas Michaeli from St. Ingbert-Rohrbach. In 2016, the Diocese of Speyer restructured, merging four Homburg parishes into the parish of John XXIII, with Maria vom Frieden designated as the central church and main site for worship services.

Architectural and Artistic Highlights

One of the most striking features of Maria vom Frieden is the twelve-meter-high mosaic behind the altar, spanning over one hundred square meters. Designed by Helena Trossen from Essen, this masterpiece was brought to life in December 1968 by Father Hubert Sedlmair and volunteers from the parish community.

The church also boasts a baptismal font made of aluminum bronze with a copper cover and a portal crafted by Franz Mörscher from Neunkirchen, created between 1958 and 1962. The southern side wall of the nave features a ceramic Stations of the Cross in shades of gray, black, and red, crafted by Günther Zeuner from Speyer in 1962. Zeuner also created the concrete statue of the Schutzmantelmadonna (Our Lady of the Protective Mantle) that stands in front of the church, completed in 1960.

Other notable artistic elements include intricately designed door handles, various depictions of Mary, and stained-glass windows with Marian motifs designed by Wilhelm Braun from Munich. Among the Marian sculptures is a figure from the first quarter of the 18th century, listed as an individual monument in the Saarland heritage register.

The Bell Tower and Bells

The free-standing bell tower of Maria vom Frieden rises to a height of 33.40 meters and houses a carillon of five bells. These bells were cast in 1960 by the Saarlouis bell foundry in Fraulautern, founded by Karl Otto III from Bremen-Hemelingen and Alois Riewer from Geislautern. The largest bell, known as the Christusglocke, had to be recast in 1965 due to a crack, with the task undertaken by Karl Otto III of the Otto bell foundry.

Initially, the tower featured a metal bell frame rigidly connected to the masonry, causing resonance issues with the second bell. To address this, the tower underwent extensive renovations from 2008 to 2009, including the installation of a new oak bell frame and adjustments to the critical bells' frequencies. The tower also received concrete repairs and a new roof covering.

The Organ

When Maria vom Frieden was consecrated in 1956, it did not yet have a large organ. A temporary positive organ by Hugo Mayer Orgelbau from Heusweiler was used for services. In 1959, the church received a new organ with a movable, three-manual console and seven registers, serving as an interim solution.

Plans for a grand organ on the gallery were drawn up but later revised due to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which called for the choir and organ to be near the altar. In 1962, a new concept was developed in collaboration with Ludwig Doerr, the organist of Speyer Cathedral, envisioning a main organ on the gallery and a choir organ with five registers in the left side aisle. However, this plan was not realized.

Instead, a new plan was devised with Hugo Mayer Orgelbau, placing the entire organ case in the left transept, with the console and choir underneath. The final design, modified several times, was completed, and the Mayer organ was consecrated on Palm Sunday in 1966 by Canon Schwarz. The organ featured 41 registers, three manuals, and a pedal, with the wind chests arranged in three tiers in the transept.

Over the years, the Mayer organ required frequent maintenance and repairs, leading to the acquisition of the 1965 Zeilhuber organ from St. John the Baptist Church in Munich-Haidhausen in 2005. The Mayer organ was dismantled in 2007, and a new organ was built by Thomas Gaida from Wemmetsweiler in 2008, using parts from both the Mayer and Zeilhuber organs. The new organ, inaugurated on August 15, 2008, features 26 registers, three manuals, and a pedal, with modern digital controls and a movable console.

Maria vom Frieden is not just a place of worship; it is a testament to the enduring faith and dedication of its community. Its rich history, stunning architecture, and artistic treasures make it a captivating destination for anyone visiting Homburg.