St. Marienkirche

St. Marienkirche, nestled in the charming town of Husum in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, is a magnificent example of neoclassical architecture and a beacon of cultural heritage. Known locally as Marienkirche, this Lutheran church was constructed between 1829 and 1833 based on the designs of Danish state architect Christian Frederik Hansen. It stands as a testament to the grandeur and elegance of classical design, making it one of the most significant landmarks in the region.

The Historical Journey of St. Marienkirche

Husum, once a modest village in the parish of Mildstedt until the 14th century, saw its transformation into a significant coastal town following the Great Mandränke, a catastrophic storm surge. By 1431, the growing settlement was granted the right to build its own chapel. The Heilig-Kreuz-Kapelle, completed in 1436, initially remained part of the Mildstedt parish but gained independence in 1448 as a parish church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, thus becoming Marienkirche.

The original Marienkirche underwent numerous expansions, including the addition of a Gothic choir completed in 1510, making it one of the largest ecclesiastical buildings in the region. The church's towering spire, funded by Duke and later King Frederick I, was an architectural marvel that, despite suffering damage from storms and lightning over the centuries, stood as a symbol of resilience and faith.

The Demolition and Rebirth

By the late 18th century, the original Marienkirche had become structurally unsound. Built on a terminal moraine, the varying soil densities caused significant cracking, and the tower leaned precariously to the west. Despite plans to preserve parts of the church, it was entirely demolished between 1807 and 1809, a loss mourned as one of the greatest in Schleswig-Holstein's architectural history. This decision even drew censure from the Copenhagen government in 1813.

From the remnants of the old church, only a few artifacts survived, including a painted epitaph and a bronze baptismal font. A late Gothic carved altarpiece from around 1510 found a new home in St. Jakobikirche in Schwabstedt, and several baroque sculptures were relocated to St. Knud Church in Friedrichstadt.

Architectural Marvel of the New St. Marienkirche

The new St. Marienkirche, realized between 1829 and 1833, is significantly smaller than its Gothic predecessor, creating a spacious market square before its west facade. The church's orientation deviates slightly from the original by about 3 degrees to the southwest, a detail revealed through ground-penetrating radar surveys in 2006. Despite this, parts of the old foundation were reused in the construction.

The church's rectangular body, built from yellow brick, features a prominent tower on its west side facing the market. The lower sections of the tower, designed as a rusticated risalit, house the main entrance framed by pilasters and a pediment. The tower is crowned with a cylindrical copper dome, adding to its neoclassical charm. The two-story fenestration along the church's length accommodates the interior galleries.

Inside, the flat-ceilinged hall is dominated by a double row of Doric columns supporting a heavy entablature, behind which the galleries are concealed. The original color scheme of warm beige and granite red was restored in 1984 but later reverted to pure white during renovations in 2021. Between 2000 and 2013, extensive restoration efforts aimed to return the church to its original state, including modernizing the electrical and heating systems and updating the lighting to enhance the ceiling's starry sky effect.

Notable Features and Artifacts

The interior columns lead the eye to the pulpit above the altar, framed by an Ionic pilaster aedicula. Originally, the monumental semicircular niche above the altar housed the organ. The only significant piece from the old church is the bronze baptismal font, donated in 1643. Crafted by bronze caster Lorenz Karsten based on models by local carver Berend Cornelissen, the font features four seated evangelists supporting the basin, adorned with reliefs of Christ's baptism, the apostles, and the donor's coat of arms.

The Musical Legacy

The history of St. Marienkirche's organs is fascinating yet incomplete, particularly regarding the instruments available to its most famous organist, Nicolaus Bruhns. The current church, reflecting the diminished interest in organ music during the Enlightenment and secularization, initially housed a small, inconspicuous organ above the altar and pulpit. However, the resurgence of organ music in the late 19th century led to the installation of a new instrument by Marcussen & Søn in 1900, accompanied by the construction of a gallery in the west and the closure of the eastern niche.

In 1963, a neobaroque organ by Detlef Kleuker replaced the Marcussen organ, with further modifications by Lothar E. Banzhaf in 1996. This organ served the church until 2016 when technical issues led to its decommissioning and eventual relocation to Warsaw. In 2021, a new organ by Klais was installed, continuing the church's rich musical tradition.

St. Marienkirche stands as a beacon of Husum's cultural and architectural heritage. Its neoclassical design, historical significance, and dedication to preserving its legacy make it a must-visit landmark for anyone exploring the picturesque town of Husum.