GERMAN CHURCH

Description

Essentials about the German Church in brief

The name Tyska kyrkan (German Church) already expresses that this church should be a must-see for every German tourist in Stockholm. The church is not only the tallest building in Stockholm’s Gamla stan, but also a living testimony to the history of the Germans in Stockholm.

The history of the German Church

The history of the German Church in Stockholm is closely linked to the historical connection between Germany and Sweden. The predecessor of today’s church was the guild house of the German merchant guild of St. Gertrude. In the 14th century, many German merchants and craftsmen lived in Stockholm and were looking for a place to worship. The St. Gertrude’s Guild had existed since the middle of the 14th century, but was dissolved as a result of the resolutions of the Diet of Västerås in 1544 and its assets, including the guild house, were confiscated.

In 1571, the Swedish King John III granted the German-speaking parish in Stockholm the privilege of building its own church on the site of the former Dominican monastery. In 1576, the German-speaking congregation became co-owner and in 1607 sole owner of the guildhall, which served as a place of worship after the addition of a tower.

However, the guildhall proved to be too small or did not meet the needs of the congregation. The foundations for a new church building were therefore laid in 1637. The church was built between 1639 and 1643 according to the plans of master builder Hans Jakob Kristler. Not much remained of the old guildhall. Only the epitaph, which today adorns the baptistery, was retained.

In 1878, a fire destroyed the church tower, the organ, the bells and a large part of the church windows. The tower was subsequently rebuilt in 1881 according to plans by the Berlin architect Julius Carl Raschdorff. At 96 meters high, the church tower is the tallest building in Stockholm’s Gamla stan.

The architecture of the German Church

The German Church was built in the Baroque style and has a magnificent façade with impressive columns and decorations. The interior of the church is equally beautiful, with an imposing altar and a richly decorated pulpit.

The church also houses a collection of funerary monuments and epitaphs that reflect the history of the German-speaking community in Stockholm. The works of art in the church tell stories of merchants, craftsmen and scholars who lived and worked in the Swedish capital.

The German Church and the Germans

The German Church has retained its close historical connection with Germany to this day. It belongs to the Church of Sweden, which means that the church services are conducted according to Swedish standards. However, the services are conducted in German by German clergy.

The German Church is therefore still a meeting place for German believers in Stockholm today. It is also a lively place of encounter and exchange for German expats and tourists in Sweden.