St. Laurentius

St. Laurentius Church in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, nestled in the picturesque region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, stands as a testament to the rich historical tapestry and architectural splendor of the area. This Gothic masterpiece, the oldest hall church in the Rhineland, invites visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in centuries of history, art, and culture.

The History of St. Laurentius Church

The origins of St. Laurentius Church date back to the 13th century when the Abbey of Prüm, under Abbot Gottfried of Prüm, laid its foundation stone in 1269. The church was constructed to serve the local community and was initially staffed by Benedictine monks from Prüm. This ecclesiastical connection remained until the secularization and dissolution of the Abbey by Napoleon, after which the appointment of parish priests was transferred to the bishop. Since 1824, the parish has been part of the Diocese of Trier.

The church has endured its share of trials and tribulations. During the closing days of World War II, in March 1945, artillery fire damaged its roof and tower. More recently, in July 2021, the church was submerged under one and a half meters of water due to severe flooding. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and as of June 2024, discussions about specific reconstruction measures continue, with the church remaining closed to visitors.

Architectural Highlights

St. Laurentius Church is a striking example of Gothic architecture, characterized by its three-aisled hall structure and buttressed walls. The masonry is composed of rendered rubble stone, giving it a robust and enduring appearance. The octagonal tower, constructed from tuff and trachyte, rises majestically above the church, culminating in a gabled crown and a pointed spire. This spire, a creation of the Trier Cathedral architect Wilhelm Schmitz, was part of the significant renovations and redesigns carried out between 1899 and 1912.

The nave consists of four bays, each side topped with a hipped roof. The side choirs are set at an angle, adding to the church's unique architectural charm. The interior is equally impressive, with the side choirs and main choir delineated by five sides of an octagon. The galleries, extending three bays long, temper the light in the side aisles, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Massive round pillars support the ribbed vaults, with the interior dimensions measuring 44.20 meters in length and 20.80 meters in width. The apex of the ribbed vaults reaches a height of 14.40 meters.

Artistic Treasures Within

Inside St. Laurentius Church, visitors will find a treasure trove of artistic and historical artifacts. A late-Gothic baptismal font, a crescent moon Madonna in the Marian Chapel, a monstrance dating back to around 1400, and a Gothic sacrament house from 1481 are just a few of the notable pieces. The choir is enclosed by an ornate wrought-iron communion rail from the 18th century, and the Stations of the Cross, acquired in 1906, add to the church's rich liturgical heritage.

One of the most remarkable features of the church is the series of frescoes discovered during restorations in 1903. These 15th-century paintings depict various biblical scenes, including the Baptism of Jesus and the Last Judgment, as well as saints, a Corpus Christi procession from 1918, and the consecration of the church. Additionally, following the dissolution of the Calvarienberg Monastery, the church became the custodian of several relics and artifacts from the former monastery, including relics of Saint Ursula and her companions, valuable vessels, and a staurotheke.

The Organ

The history of organs in St. Laurentius Church dates back to the 16th century. The current organ, built in 1991 by the organ-building workshop Fischer + Krämer from Endingen, replaced an instrument by Johannes Klais Orgelbau from 1956. This organ, in turn, incorporated pipes from its predecessor, built by Stahlhut in 1903. The present organ features a Baroque case from the 16th century and is a slider chest instrument with 47 registers, 24 of which are new, distributed across three manuals and pedal. The action is mechanical, and the stop action is electric. In 2004, the organ was expanded with a solo division featuring three high-pressure registers, installed on the side gallery.

The Bells

The church's peal consists of nine bells, with the smallest bell housed in the roof rider above the crossing and the others in the main tower. The original bells melted during a fire in 1689, leading Johannes Bourlet from Jülich to cast four new bells in 1694. Two smaller bells were added during the Baroque period. In 2000, the Eifel bell foundry Mark from Brockscheid cast three new bells to restore the original set, sponsored by the St. Sebastianus Marksmen's Society (Sebastianus bell), the church choir (Cäcilia bell), and a family from Ahrweiler (Selig bell). The ringing order follows the traditional dinging method, once widespread in the Rhineland. Special occasions, such as Christmas Mass, Corpus Christi, and Easter, are marked by this distinctive ringing.

The Parish of St. Laurentius

The parish of St. Laurentius is part of the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler parish community, which includes seven other parishes in the city. Since September 1, 2011, this community has been part of the Ahr-Eifel deanery in the Diocese of Trier, along with four other parish communities (Adenau, Altenahr, Schuld, and Grafschaft). The parish maintains two kindergartens operated by Kita gGmbH Koblenz. The parish also includes the Walporzheim branch with the St. Joseph Chapel. In addition to the two churches, the parish has several facilities, including the parish house (Marktplatz 13), the tithe barn, and the parish hall with a public library.

St. Laurentius Church is not just a place of worship but a beacon of history, art, and community spirit. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to this magnificent church will leave you with a profound appreciation for the cultural heritage of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.