Our Lady Church

In the picturesque town of Wernigerode, nestled in the Harz district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, stands a remarkable edifice known as Our Lady Church, or Liebfrauenkirche in the local language. This historic church, now repurposed as a concert hall, is a testament to the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region.

The Historical Tapestry

The origins of Our Lady Church date back to 1230 when it was first mentioned as a Romanesque structure with twin towers. However, the church's history is marked by a series of transformations and rebirths. In 1751, a devastating fire swept through the Burgstraßenviertel, reducing the original structure to ashes. The rebuilding process began in 1756, thanks to the financial support of the Danish royal family and Count Christian Ernst zu Stolberg-Wernigerode. The church was reconstructed in the Baroque style by the count's master builder, Johann Friedrich Heintzmann, and was completed in 1762.

One of the most striking features of Our Lady Church is its tower. Originally a modest Baroque structure, it was replaced in 1891 by an oversized Neo-Gothic adaptation of a five-knob tower, complete with four intermediate clock towers and four upper turrets. Although the intention was to remodel the entire church in the Neo-Gothic style, financial constraints limited the transformation to the tower alone. Today, this tower stands as a prominent landmark, housing three bells and a clock, and serving as an observation point for visitors.

The Architectural Marvel

The architecture of Our Lady Church is relatively simple yet profoundly elegant. Constructed primarily from locally quarried and partially plastered Rogenstein, a type of limestone, the church's rectangular form measures 17.20 meters in width and 31.70 meters in length. The northern and southern sides feature extensions measuring 4.70 meters by 7.20 meters each. A cornice runs along the northern, southern, and eastern sides at a height of approximately 3 meters, dividing the exterior into two sections. The lower part features small flat-arched windows, while the upper part is adorned with tall round-arched windows.

The eastern side of the church, designed as the main facade, is particularly noteworthy. The central section of the facade is slightly raised and capped with a triangular gable. Within this gable is a sandstone cartouche adorned with copper rays and inscribed with the Latin phrase Deo et Evangelio Jesu Christ (To God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Below this, a frieze bears the inscription Christiano Ernesto Comite in Stolberg Regnate Henrico Ernesto filio et Christiano Friederico nepote florentibus MDCCLXII, a dedication to Count Christian Ernst, his son Heinrich Ernst, and his grandson Christian Friedrich.

The Tower and Its Treasures

The approximately 60-meter-high tower of Our Lady Church is constructed from sandstone and flanked by two smaller turrets on either side. The main tower is reinforced with stepped buttresses that extend up to the height of the sound windows. Above these windows are four corner-placed watchtowers that frame the spire. The upper third of the spire features four additional small spires. The entrance to the church is now through the tower, which features a stepped portal with a tympanum depicting the Lamb of God.

In the spring of 1891, the current tower clock was installed, crafted by the renowned clockmakers Ed. Korfhage & Söhne from Buehr. This clock, primarily made of cast iron, remains unchanged to this day and is still wound by hand. Its dials each have a diameter of 2 meters, making it a prominent feature of the tower.

The Interior Grandeur

The interior of Our Lady Church has largely retained its original form, serving as an excellent example of a rectangular Baroque hall church. The simple wooden ceiling is designed as a hipped barrel vault, while the floor is laid with red bricks. The church's interior is a testament to the high craftsmanship of Wernigerode's sculptors, with many of its original furnishings now housed in the St. Sylvestri Church to preserve their cultural and artistic value.

The Altar and Artistic Flourishes

The altar of Our Lady Church, crafted by the court carpenter Johann Michael Möser in 1759, is a pulpit altar. The altar block is made from the same red bricks as the church floor and is topped with a tiered podium. The pulpit is flanked by Corinthian-style columns, and the canopy above the pulpit resembles a baldachin. The altar is crowned with a cross surrounded by a flaming wreath, and a wooden panel inscribed with Jehova Licht in Recht (Jehovah Light in Justice) is situated below it.

The altar painting, likely created by Christian Bernhard Rode in 1760, depicts a crucifixion scene dominated by the figure of Christ. The painting also features Mary, the mother of Jesus, the disciple John, Mary Magdalene, a centurion, and soldiers casting lots for Christ's garments. The painting's origins are somewhat mysterious, but it is believed to have been a gift from Rode, facilitated by the poet Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim's connection to Count Christian Ernst.

The Concert Hall Transformation

In 2018, Our Lady Church was sold to the Wernigerode Cultural Foundation with the vision of transforming it into a concert hall. The church was deconsecrated on February 3, 2019, and the conversion began shortly thereafter. The new concert hall, named Konzerthaus Liebfrauen, opened its doors on March 3, 2022. The transformation included the removal of the original pews and the installation of tiered theater seating oriented towards the organ. Despite these changes, the altar and princely loge have been preserved, maintaining the church's historical essence.

Today, Our Lady Church stands as a cultural monument, blending its rich historical past with a vibrant present as a concert venue. It serves as a beacon of Wernigerode's enduring legacy and a testament to the town's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while adapting to contemporary needs.