Neumarktkirche St. Thomae (Merseburg)

Neumarktkirche St. Thomae Cantuariensis in Merseburg, located in the Saalekreis district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is a remarkable Romanesque church that stands as a testament to medieval architecture and ecclesiastical history. This quaint yet majestic church is part of the Merseburg parish within the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and is a notable stop on the Romanesque Road, a scenic route that showcases the architectural wonders of the Romanesque period.

The Origins of Neumarktkirche St. Thomae

The construction of Neumarktkirche St. Thomae began between 1173, the year of St. Thomas Becket's canonization, and 1188, when the church was first mentioned in a document by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. The church was built in two phases, from east to west, and by 1188, the eastern parts were already in use. Initially, a canon's chapter was established here in the early 14th century, but it was soon moved to the Sixtikirche.

The original structure was a flat-roofed, steeply proportioned basilica with alternating supports, a chancel square with an apse, two side apses at the transept, and two towers at the western ends of the aisles. The western side featured a gallery that opened into the nave through two arcades. During a restoration in 1825/26, the northern aisle, the southern side apse, and a medieval sacristy on the south side of the chancel square were demolished. The southern aisle, the southern tower, and the northern side apse had already been lost, likely due to poor soil conditions near the Saale River. The site was raised by 1.5 to 2 meters due to the rising groundwater level, giving the building a sunken appearance.

Architectural Highlights

The exterior of Neumarktkirche St. Thomae is constructed with regular rubble masonry, giving it a simple yet sturdy appearance. The roof cornice of the main apse is adorned with a ball frieze, and the rich base profile continues around the portals. The western structure is unadorned, with the exception of a round-arched window flanked by two monolithic quatrefoil windows on the west gable. The surviving northern tower features rectangular slit windows and paired sound arcades in the upper story, topped with a saddle roof and a roof rider.

Noteworthy are the two columned portals on the north side, which were swapped during the 1821 restoration. The current nave portal was originally installed in the transept and features a decorated column in the style of the church in Königslutter. The main portal at the transept was originally located at the northern aisle and displays capitals that were renewed in the 19th century, along with a striking column made of four intertwined round rods. In medieval times, knot motifs were often used as magical symbols to ward off evil spirits.

Inside, the architectural sculpture is reminiscent of the contemporary parts of the collegiate church of the monastery on the Petersberg near Halle. The nave arcades are adorned with simple, relatively flat cube capitals, and the windows have steep reveals.

The Church's Interior and Furnishings

By 1975, the church's interior featured a baroque altar with a group of figures by Michael Hoppenhaupt from 1695, depicting the resurrected Christ on the awakening Adam, accompanied by Peter and John. The apse dome contained depictions of God the Father, Moses, and a prophet. A wooden triumphal cross from the second quarter of the 16th century was placed in the triumphal arch. A simple wooden pulpit with images of the twelve apostles from the early 17th century was also present. The large Romanesque baptismal font, made of red sandstone with rich figurative decoration, was moved to Merseburg Cathedral in 1831.

A life-sized wooden representation of Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child, dating from the late 15th century, was also part of the church's furnishings. The organ case from the late 17th century had already been removed by 1975. The altar, triumphal cross, and other items are now housed in the Stadtkirche St. Maximi. A baptismal angel is displayed in the Merseburg Cultural History Museum.

Today, the church's furnishings include a crucifix in the triumphal arch, a relief of Thomas Becket by Gabriele Messerschmidt, and a memorial called Great Crucifixion Group before a Red Wall by Klaus Friedrich Messerschmidt. Additionally, a seven-part figure group titled Terra Ottonum by Dieter M. Weidenbach is noteworthy.

Restoration and Modern Use

After years of neglect, the church underwent extensive restoration from 1991 to 1995, following its abandonment by the congregation in the 1970s due to its dilapidated condition. During the restoration, the ground level from 1188 was restored, giving visitors an impression of the original space. Archaeological excavations conducted by the Institute for Monument Preservation in Halle uncovered the foundation of the baptismal font, now displayed in Merseburg Cathedral.

Since 1993, the church has been used again for worship services and is a station on the ecumenical pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, offering overnight accommodation. In 2013, the church was affected by flooding from the Saale River, and the Merseburg Old Town Association supported the necessary renovations.

Neumarktkirche St. Thomae is not just a place of worship; it is a historical gem that tells the story of medieval architecture and the enduring spirit of the community that has preserved it through the centuries. A visit to this church offers a glimpse into the past and a serene space for reflection and appreciation of its architectural beauty.