Leipzig and Coburg: Bach and Luther Connections

Today we explored a bit of Leipzig and Coburg. Both cities have a Luther connection. Luther traveled to both cities and even stayed at the castle in Coburg for several months. 

 

It was especially exciting to visit St. Thomas Church in Leipzig where Johann Sebastian Bach served as organist, choirmaster, and composer! The church, where Bach is now buried, has beautiful stained glass windows. Mary T. stated, "I really appreciated the stained glass window dedicated to peace." This window was designed following the collapse of the Berlin Wall and in response to Germany's reunification. "I liked the wooden pews and how the ornately carved pulpit was in the middle of the church. Also, the beautifully painted arched ceiling was really cool," commented Chris V. We were all in awe of the fact that Bach spent over 20 years at St. Thomas writing over 2,000 pieces of music. However, if it had not been for another Leipzig composer, Felix Mendelssohn, Bach's music would have largely been unappreciated. Both composers have been immortalized in stained glass and bronze statues in the courtyard. 

 

 

 

As we reviewed the history of St. Thomas we were reminded that it is still an active, future-focused congregation. Cheri E. was impressed that St. Thomas's church is working, via the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, on an agreement with the ELCA. 

As discussed in past posts, many of Germany's cities were damaged during WWII and Leipzig was bombed severely. Ruth S. reiterated, "I am overwhelmed with the progress made after Germany's reunification to rehabilitate the war-torn and communist-neglected buildings following Russian occupation." Yes, everything seemed to have been rebuilt or re-surface d quite beautifully. In fact Jack E. expressed that walking around Leipzig, and especially Coburg, was "like walking into a Disneyland theme park!"

 

Overall, everything has been great expressed Pastor Dan. "The waitresses today was great despite my poor German." We all agreed at how forgiving and helpful everyone has been in Germany. And it's always a good reminder that "It's a small world after all!" That is truly the irony of traveling , the more you travel the smaller the world becomes. We truly all are God's children. Gute Nacht.