Many famous Lutheran churches in Europe were once Roman Catholic churches which were
converted as the Reformation spread Lutheranism within the various territories. Because of practical
matters, the basic character of the buildings remained somewhat unchanged. However, when
Lutherans began building their own churches, a "Lutheran church style" of architecture emerged.
converted as the Reformation spread Lutheranism within the various territories. Because of practical
matters, the basic character of the buildings remained somewhat unchanged. However, when
Lutherans began building their own churches, a "Lutheran church style" of architecture emerged.
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Lutheran theology centers around the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacrament to create
and strengthen faith. A sacrament was believed to be an activity instituted by Christ using earthly
elements which bestows forgiveness of sins. Since Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox
churches were traditionally centered more around the sacraments, the altar is the focus of their
church. If there is a pulpit in the church it is small or set to the side where homilies, or brief messages
based on the theme for the day, are preached. By contrast, in the Lutheran church, the sermon, or
in-depth readings for that day, is preached and the pulpit is therefore more prominent.
and strengthen faith. A sacrament was believed to be an activity instituted by Christ using earthly
elements which bestows forgiveness of sins. Since Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox
churches were traditionally centered more around the sacraments, the altar is the focus of their
church. If there is a pulpit in the church it is small or set to the side where homilies, or brief messages
based on the theme for the day, are preached. By contrast, in the Lutheran church, the sermon, or
in-depth readings for that day, is preached and the pulpit is therefore more prominent.
In early Lutheran church architecture, a large central space surrounded by multiple balconies replaced
the cruciform medieval cathedral with its long narrow nave separated from the altar by the choir. The
pulpit was then located in the middle of the first balcony so that the entire congregation could hear
the pastor and the baptismal font was placed before the altar. This idea of a large center space
surrounded by balconies with the focus on pulpit, altar and baptismal font became the basic element
of Lutheran church architecture and this resulted in the development of the Kanzelaltar, or
pulpit/altar in early Lutheran churches of the Reformation.
the cruciform medieval cathedral with its long narrow nave separated from the altar by the choir. The
pulpit was then located in the middle of the first balcony so that the entire congregation could hear
the pastor and the baptismal font was placed before the altar. This idea of a large center space
surrounded by balconies with the focus on pulpit, altar and baptismal font became the basic element
of Lutheran church architecture and this resulted in the development of the Kanzelaltar, or
pulpit/altar in early Lutheran churches of the Reformation.
As the sacramental nature of the church service was slowly abandoned, the form of the pulpit/altar
changed as well. Larger congregations in larger buildings brought about more of an auditorium form
and resulted in bigger pulpits but smaller altars which were eventually reduced to less significance. As
the Word is more prominent in Reformed circles than the Sacrament, the altar is seldom seen,
although there may be a baptistry. Most often the pulpit becomes somewhat of a large "stage" which
enables the preacher to move about and command the attention of his congregation. Depending on
the church, the modern pulpit may be behind a free standing altar, with the font to the side of the
altar or even situated at floor level or at the doors to the sanctuary, while in others, the altar is at the
center with the font at one side and the pulpit at the other.
changed as well. Larger congregations in larger buildings brought about more of an auditorium form
and resulted in bigger pulpits but smaller altars which were eventually reduced to less significance. As
the Word is more prominent in Reformed circles than the Sacrament, the altar is seldom seen,
although there may be a baptistry. Most often the pulpit becomes somewhat of a large "stage" which
enables the preacher to move about and command the attention of his congregation. Depending on
the church, the modern pulpit may be behind a free standing altar, with the font to the side of the
altar or even situated at floor level or at the doors to the sanctuary, while in others, the altar is at the
center with the font at one side and the pulpit at the other.
Martinskirche, Friedrichskirche, Andreaskirche and Pauluskirche were all either completely or nearly completely
destroyed by severe Allied bombing of Worms, and the Wormser Dom, above, was heavily damaged. The 1,100 year
old Magnuskirche where Luther came to defend his doctrines at the Diet of Worms was also destroyed. Built in the 8th
to 9th centuries, it was the site of the first Protestant sermon in Germany and it is the oldest Protestant Church of
Southwest German Lands. It was painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 1952.
destroyed by severe Allied bombing of Worms, and the Wormser Dom, above, was heavily damaged. The 1,100 year
old Magnuskirche where Luther came to defend his doctrines at the Diet of Worms was also destroyed. Built in the 8th
to 9th centuries, it was the site of the first Protestant sermon in Germany and it is the oldest Protestant Church of
Southwest German Lands. It was painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 1952.
