World's oldest stone pulpit: celebratory re-inauguration in Heldburg!

World's oldest stone pulpit: celebratory re-inauguration in Heldburg!

In Heldburg, the Protestant community sets an example of tradition and culture. On October 31, 2025, the oldest Protestant stone pulpit in the world will be re-inaugurated in a festive service at 5 p.m. This special day falls on Reformation Day and is not only a religious event but also a cultural celebration that highlights the importance of the Reformation. ekmd.de reports that the celebratory sermon will be given by Friedrich Kramer, the regional bishop of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM).

The service, which takes place in the Heldburg town church, is accompanied by a musical performance. Works by the Heldburg composer Eucharius Hoffmann will be performed by the Collegium musicum Hildburghausen as well as the Eisfelder flute ensemble and a soloist. Following the ceremony, all visitors are invited to eat and celebrate together, which will begin at 3 p.m.

A pulpit with history

The pulpit, which was built in 1536, is not only considered an important piece of Reformation history, but also has an exciting origin story. It was founded by Friedrich Schwalbe, the first superintendent in Heldburg, who personally studied with Martin Luther in 1515. The artistic pulpit images are based on models by Lucas Cranach the Elder. and were created by the sculptor Bernhard Friedrich from Halle. The pulpit was originally placed in the central nave of the church to place the proclamation of the Word of God at the center of the service.

The remodeling of the church between 1819 and 1826 led to the pulpit and baptismal font being dismantled, but parts remained. Thanks to the restoration and re-installation by the stone restorer Hendrik Romstedt, supported by the Federal Minister for Culture and Media as well as the EKM Art and Cultural Heritage Foundation and the State Monuments Office, the pulpit is now shining again in its original location.

Education and challenges

While the return to tradition is being celebrated in Heldburg, education today has to contend with completely different challenges. The pandemic forced many students to switch to virtual learning in 2020. Many universities are planning a return to face-to-face formats, but uncertainty remains. brookings.edu reports that new coronavirus variants and low vaccination rates are influencing the situation.

Studies show that online students often perform worse, especially among those who are less academically prepared. Some institutions will continue to offer hybrid or online courses, while others may move back to full digital instruction. The negative impacts are noticeable and universities are faced with the challenge of compensating for learning losses and offering students flexibility.

Whether in tradition or in education - one thing remains clear: the challenges are diverse and it takes a good hand to master them and make the best of the circumstances.