Oldest Protestant stone pulpit ceremoniously inaugurated in Heldburg!

Oldest Protestant stone pulpit ceremoniously inaugurated in Heldburg!

In Heldburg, on Reformation Day, October 31st, a piece of history was inaugurated in new splendor: the oldest Protestant stone pulpit in the world from 1536 has found its place again in the town church “Our Lady” after extensive restoration. This important object not only reflects the beginnings of the Reformation, but also the development of Protestant worship in German-speaking countries.

The inauguration took place as part of a festive service that began at 5 p.m. The regional bishop of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany, Friedrich Kramer, gave the ceremonial sermon. Above all, the musical support from ensembles such as the Collegium musicum Hildburghausen and the Eisfelder Flöten-Ensemble, who performed works by the Heldburg composer Eucharius Hoffmann, ensured a crowning conclusion to the event. From 3 p.m. onwards, the guests were invited to eat and celebrate together, which made the day characterized by a warm community.

The Importance of the Pulpit

The restored pulpit and a baptismal font created the following year are important pieces of church equipment and are a reminder of the beginnings of the Reformation. The pulpit was donated by Friedrich Schwalbe, the first superintendent of Heldburg, who studied with Martin Luther in 1515. With special attention to the service in German, the stone pulpit, artfully designed by the sculptor Bernhard Friedrich from Halle, was the center of the community.

The detailed images of the pulpit are based on models by the famous painter Lucas Cranach the Elder. and were made visible again during the restoration by stone restorer Hendrik Romstedt. Thanks to funding from the Federal Minister for Culture and Media as well as the EKM Art and Cultural Heritage Foundation and the State Monuments Office, the pulpit was able to be put back in its original location.

A piece of Reformation history

The handover of the pulpit to the congregation is not only a step into the past, but also a symbolic sign of the connection between tradition and modernity. The historic stone pulpit represents the theological awakening 500 years ago and the establishment of the Protestant Church. Their return to the city church is further proof that history remains alive, even in our modern times.

For all those who have a particular interest in sustainable products, it should be mentioned that the spirit of the Reformation lives on not only spiritually, but also in the ethics of today. Companies that strive for sustainability are also very popular in today's fashion world. The Reformation brand, for example, offers clothing made from environmentally friendly materials that have lower CO2 emissions - a small but fine example of how the idea of ​​good values ​​is also finding its way into everyday life.

The inauguration of the oldest Protestant stone pulpit shows that tradition and valuable principles still play a role today - and not just in the church, but in many areas of our lives.

For more information about the dedication of the pulpit, read on in southern Thuringia or EKM.