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Events Calendar
Sunday | October 20th | 5 p.m.
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD - Concert with songs and chorales to listen to and sing along to
Gospel choir of the Castle Church, Schola Cantorum Adam Rener, Sarah and Thomas Herzer, and other musical companions
After more than 20 years of church music activity in the Castle Church, Sarah and Thomas Herzer, together with the choirs and companions, want to bring the fruits of their many years of work to life once again and thus say goodbye together to the cultural life of the city of Wittenberg. The Luther chorale "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was also a reliable companion throughout the entire time. And so it will be heard in many different ways, as a congregational song, organ improvisation, choral setting or gospel. You are cordially invited!
In 2011, the castle church received a very special gift from a Lutheran congregation in California - 2 octave handbells. These instruments, which are common in the USA, are played in the "choir". Each player has 2-4 bells in their hand. The 12 players in our ensemble currently take great pleasure in participating and enrich church services and concerts with the special sound of the handbells.
Contemporary history
As part of the new construction of Wittenberg Castle (1489-1518), Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony (r. 1486-1525) had a castle church built from 1496 onwards, which was consecrated in 1503 and completed around 1509. It took up almost the entire north wing of the main castle, which consisted of three wings, and its interior was furnished with works by the most important artists of that period of transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance.
Jubilee!
The castle church congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary on August 25, 2024 with a celebratory service followed by a reception.
History
Around 1340, the Ascanian dukes had an "All Saints' Chapel" built at their castle and founded a collegiate monastery in it for liturgical service. Elector Friedrich the Wise had the palace with the chapel demolished and his new residential palace with a more spacious palace church built on the site. You can find out more about the story here.
Church for children
Every Sunday there is a children's service in the Wittenberg Castle Church, parallel to the adult service. Ms. Felicia Grauel is one of the volunteers for the children's service.