Evang.-Lutherische Pfarrkirche
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Lutheran Parish Church

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Historisches Gersfeld

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Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 23, 2024

1. Evang.-Lutherische Pfarrkirche / Lutheran Parish Church Marker

Die Evang.-Lutherische Pfarrkirche wurde 1778 von Johann Caspar Heym aus Ostheim vor der Rhön entworfen, der Bau von 1780-1788 durch Baumeister Link aus Brückenau ausgeführt. Neben Lauterbach und Erbach ist die Gersfelder Kirche der bedeutendste evangelische Kirchenbau der 2. Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts in Hessen.

Den 60 m hohen Turm ziert eine Zwiebelhaube mit einer offenen Laterne bekrönt. Von dort oben rufen Sonntag für Sonntag vor dem Gottesdienst die Bläserinnen und Bläser des Posaunenchores mit ihren Chorälen zum Gottesdienst. Über dem funkelnden Turmkopf, dem man seine 1,25 m Höhe von unten nicht ansieht, dreht sich die große Wetterfahne. Auf einer weit hinauswallenden Wolke sitzt ein Engel, der sich mit der rechten Hand an der Wetterstange festhält und in der linken einen großen Ölzweig trägt; seine Botschaft lautet: Friede auf Erden!

Das kostbarste Schmuckstück im reich dekorierten Portal (Eingangsbereich) von Bildhauermeister Joh. Georg Weber ist die geschnitzte Rokokotür. In hoher Plastik treten die Schnitzereien hervor. Aus einer locker um die profilierte Türfüllung gelegten Girlande aus

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Blättern, Blüten und Muscheln hängt in der Mitte in natürlicher Schwingung ein Zweig aus Blättern, Tulpen und Rosen. Das Motiv des hängenden Blütenzweigs findet sich im Raum der Kirche noch mehrfach wieder.

(English translation:)
The Evangelical Lutheran parish church was designed in 1778 by Johann Caspar Heym from Ostheim vor der Rhön, and the building was carried out from 1780 to 1788 by master builder Link from Brückenau. Alongside Lauterbach and Erbach, the Gersfeld church is the most important Protestant church building of the second half of the 18th century in Hesse.

The 60 meters-high tower is decorated with an onion dome crowned with an open lantern. From up there, every Sunday before the service, the brass players of the trombone choir call people to the service with their chorales. The large weather vane rotates above the sparkling tower head, whose 1.25 m height is not apparent from below. An angel sits on a billowing cloud, holding onto the weather pole with his right hand and carrying a large olive branch in his left; his message is: Peace on earth!

The most precious jewel in the richly decorated portal (entrance

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 23, 2024

2. Evang.-Lutherische Pfarrkirche / Lutheran Parish Church Marker - wide view

The marker is seen here on the right side of the church entrance.

area) is the carved Rococo door by master sculptor Joh. Georg Weber. The carvings stand out in their high plasticity. A branch made of leaves, tulips and roses hangs in the middle in a natural sway from a garland of leaves, flowers and shells laid loosely around the profiled door panel. The motif of a hanging flower branch can be found repeated several times in the church.
 
Erected by Stadt Gersfeld. (Marker Number 4.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
 
Location. 50° 27.059′ N, 9° 55.054′ E. Marker is in Gersfeld (Rhön), Hessen (Hesse), in Fulda. It is on Marktplatz, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Marktplatz 2, Gersfeld (Rhön) HE 36129, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the German Rhön. Globally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire, on the Inner

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 23, 2024

3. Evang.-Lutherische Pfarrkirche / Lutheran Parish Church

German Border, and also the former West Germany.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rosa Liebstädter (within shouting distance of this marker); Ida Bacharach (within shouting distance of this marker); Esther Liebstädter (within shouting distance of this marker); Sally Bacharach (within shouting distance of this marker); Gasthof “zum Hirsch” / Inn “at the Stag” (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Das Generalshaus / The General’s House (about 120 meters away); Der Gasthof „Zur Krone Post“ / The “Crown Post” Inn (about 150 meters away); Fliegertreff Marktplatz / Flyers Meeting Place at Market Square (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gersfeld (Rhön).
 
Also see . . .  Historisches Gersfeld Rundgang durch die Stadt (Stadt Gersfeld, in German). The town’s guide to its twelve historic sites. (Submitted on May 26, 2024.) 

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.