St. Thomas Church

Leipzig, Germany

St. Thomas Church is associated with a number of well-known composers such as Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, but mostly with Johann Sebastian Bach who worked here as a Kapellmeister (music director) from 1723 until his death in 1750. Today, the church also holds his remains. Martin Luther preached here in 1539.

There has been a church at the current site of the Thomaskirche at least since the 12th century. Foundations of a Romanesque building have been discovered in the choir and crossing of the current church. Between 1212 and 1222 the earlier structure became the church of the new St. Thomas Monastery (Stift) of the Augustinian order.

The current building was consecrated by Thilo of Trotha, the Bishop of Merseburg, on 10 April 1496. The reformer Martin Luther preached here on Pentecost Sunday in 1539. The monastic buildings were demolished in 1541 following the monastery's dissolution. The current church tower was first built in 1537 and rebuilt in 1702. Chapels added in the 17th century and an ante-building along the northern front of the nave with two stairways were removed at the end of the 19th century.

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Details

Founded: 1496
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Damian Tapley (5 months ago)
This is the church where JS Bach was the cantor for many years. A highlight of Leipzig. Entry is free or donation. There is a small museum room which is easily overlooked - it’s on your right as you walk in or on your left as you walk out. This room and the other bits of information near the entrance (in German and English) gives more context. The sound of the organ is impressive. On weekends they do a service seemingly at 9:30am and 6pm (Sat & Sun) which has the organ playing and some hymns sung by the church-goers. In my opinion as it is a notable historic site, there should be a lot less talky-talky from the priest, and more music. The entrance is near the statue - something also worth seeing. There is also a stained-glass window depiction of Bach himself and it’s worth looking out for that when inside the church.
Matthew Lockwood (5 months ago)
Tbh very impressive. Final resting place of Bach- so that was super interesting. The only thing is- the museum collection of his artefacts and works didn't have any English- and would have been nice to have read a little. Appreciate I am in Germany, but maybe just a little tip to be inclusive?
Eric Fennell (5 months ago)
If you are looking for a German church that exemplifies protestant values…this is it. Leipzig is a diverse youthful city and St Thomas is the crown jewel. Be sure to attend the Bach festival in the spring to enjoy classical music over 400 years old. The acoustics are perfect. Bach was a bulwark of music and protestantism. He composed a 35 min cantata for every Sunday in the church calendar in German (not Latin) plus thousands of other pieces and this was his home church. I give this church 5/5 stars because it is the only church where Bach worked. Truly one of a kind.
Virginia L (6 months ago)
This church is certainly the highlight of my visit to Leipzig. Inside you will find the tomb of Bach, the baptism basin where his children were baptized as well as white organ that he played! Highly recommended! Also don’t miss the main entrance that has being rebuilding after complete destruction during the war!
Reginald Williams (7 months ago)
There is nothing to say about this church that is so filled with history other than to say that whether interested in religious history, music history, church services this is a place you should make every effort to visit. Whether paying homage to Bach, worshipping, examining the instruments in the church’s collection, or simply stopping by to admire the church where Martin Luther worshipped and delivered his proclamation this is a place well worth visiting.
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