St. Michaelis

St. Michaelis Church in Lüneburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, stands as a testament to the rich history and architectural splendor of this charming Hanseatic city. Often referred to as the Bach Church due to its association with Johann Sebastian Bach, who completed his education at the Michaelisschule, this venerable structure invites visitors to step back in time and explore its storied past.

The History of St. Michaelis Church

The origins of St. Michaelis Church date back to the mid-10th century, making it one of the oldest documented sites in Lüneburg. The earliest known record of the church and its associated monastery is a document from Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor, in 956. This document granted the monastery the right to collect tolls from the local saltworks, a resource that would become the cornerstone of Lüneburg's wealth and prosperity.

Originally situated on the Kalkberg, the only significant elevation in the area, St. Michaelis served as the house monastery for the Billung dynasty and was the site of numerous princely burials. In the late 10th century, the monastery adopted the Benedictine rule, further cementing its religious significance. However, the church's location on the Kalkberg proved to be its downfall; in 1371, the citizens of Lüneburg, in a conflict with their feudal lords, stormed and destroyed the monastery. The monks relocated to a new site within the city walls, where the current St. Michaelis Church was constructed.

The Architectural Marvel of St. Michaelis

The foundation stone for the present-day church was laid in 1376, and by 1379, the lower church was completed. Heinrich von Bremen, the master builder, oversaw the construction, which culminated in the completion of the main church and the abbot's chapel in 1412. The tower, a striking feature of the church, was finished in 1434.

St. Michaelis is a hall church constructed from brick, a common material in northern Germany. The church boasts six bays and a chancel with a semi-circular apse, measuring 52.58 meters in length and 26.29 meters in width. The highest point of the interior reaches 20.45 meters. The church's hillside location necessitated substantial substructures in the east, resulting in the creation of an undercroft. The 79-meter-high tower at the western end of the church is a prominent feature of Lüneburg's skyline.

Exploring the Interior of St. Michaelis

As you step inside St. Michaelis, you are greeted by an array of artistic and historical treasures. One of the first pieces to catch your eye is a crucifix in the tower hall, with a corpus dating from the late 15th century. The north aisle houses a bronze basin from 1487, a Vesperbild, and two panel paintings from the late 15th century.

The church's pulpit, crafted by the sculptor Daniel Schwencke from Elbe sandstone, dates to 1602, while the organ case, designed by Matthias Dropa, was completed in 1708. The four oil paintings of the Evangelists, hanging in the chancel, were added in 1793 and are attributed to Martin de la Belle, who was a drawing teacher at the Ritterakademie at the time.

In the high chancel, you will find a neo-Gothic altarpiece featuring a copy of the Lamentation of Christ by Julius Wilhelm Rotermund, as well as a sandstone baptismal font from 1872. The church also has a notable epitaph for Abbot Herbord von Holle, the first Protestant abbot, attributed to Jürgen Spinnrad.

The Legacy of St. Michaelis

St. Michaelis Church has seen its fair share of changes over the centuries. The original Benedictine monastery continued to function even after the Reformation, making it the only male monastery in the Principality of Lüneburg to do so. By 1532, the monastery had fully embraced Protestantism. The evangelical convent was dissolved in 1655, but the monastery and its associated schools, including the Ritterakademie and the Michaelisschule, remained in operation until 1850. The monastery's assets, including the church, were transferred to the Hanover Monastery Fund, which continues to maintain the church to this day.

The Organs of St. Michaelis

The organ at St. Michaelis has a storied history, beginning with an instrument built by Matthias Dropa in 1708. Over the years, the organ has undergone numerous modifications and reconstructions, with significant changes made in 1871, 1931, 1956, and 1974. The most recent renovation, carried out by Christian Scheffler in 1999, aimed to restore the organ to its 1931 sound. Today, the organ retains only the original case and a few registers from Dropa's time.

In addition to the main organ, the church has a smaller organ in the undercroft, built by Emil Hammer Orgelbau in 1942, and a chancel organ constructed by Martin ter Haseborg in 2000. The newest addition is a portable chest organ by Michael Braun, completed in 2012.

The Bells of St. Michaelis

The bells of St. Michaelis have a rich history as well. In 1491/92, the Dutch master Gerhard van Wou cast four bells for the church. Today, only two of these bells remain: the es1 bell, which forms the basis of the current bell ensemble, and the g1 bell.

St. Michaelis Church in Lüneburg is more than just a place of worship; it is a living museum of the city's history and culture. Its walls tell stories of medieval conflicts, religious transformations, and artistic achievements. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a spiritual seeker, a visit to St. Michaelis offers a unique glimpse into the past and a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.