Protestant Church

The Protestant Church in Wiehl, known locally as the Evangelische Kirche, stands as a testament to centuries of architectural evolution, religious transformation, and historical resilience. Nestled parallel to the main street in the heart of Wiehl, this church is not merely a place of worship but a beacon of the town's rich cultural and historical tapestry.

A Journey Through Time

The roots of the Protestant Church in Wiehl stretch back to around 700 AD when a wooden church first occupied the site. This early structure met a fiery end in 772, torched by pagan Saxons. Rising from the ashes, a stone choir building in the Romanesque style was constructed around the year 1000, thanks to the support of the St. Cassius Abbey in Bonn. By 1100, the church expanded westward with the addition of a nave.

The church underwent significant changes in the 16th century. In 1522, a sacristy was built, and in 1568, Count Wilhelm the Elder of Homburg added side and central naves, completing the structure we recognize today. However, the old nave's dilapidation led to the construction of a new one between 1841 and 1843, which was inaugurated on November 22, 1843.

The Towering Symbol

The church's current 56-meter-high tower, built in the Byzantine style around 1150, has long dominated Wiehl's skyline. Originally constructed from rubble stone, the tower required plastering to ensure its preservation. Its helmet was destroyed by artillery fire on April 10, 1945, but was restored, albeit a few meters shorter, in June 1949.

Interestingly, the tower may have origins predating the 12th century, as suggested by recent architectural evaluations. Its restoration in 2016 involved removing the plaster, revealing the original rubble stone façade, thus reinstating its historical charm.

Religious Transformations

Wiehl's religious landscape has seen significant shifts over the centuries. The Lutheran confession was introduced in 1568, only to be replaced by the Reformed confession in 1605 by Count Georg V of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. These changes reflect the broader religious upheavals of the time and are mirrored in the church's evolving architecture and interior design.

Interior Evolution

The Protestant Church's interior has undergone numerous transformations. Initially oriented westward towards the tower, the interior was reconfigured in 1956 to face south, aligning with the church's role as a Reformed preaching church. This renovation included the installation of three large stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Further changes in 1984 saw the addition of a new organ and underfloor heating. In 2002, the church embraced a brighter color scheme and replaced the traditional pews with flexible seating. The elevated pulpit was removed, and the central stained-glass window by artist Karl Blau was enhanced to include the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Despite these modernizations, the 12th-century baptismal font remains a cherished relic of the church's ancient past.

The Music of the Church

The church's organ, a crucial element of its musical heritage, boasts two manuals, a pedal, 26 registers, and 1,371 pipes. The current organ, built in 1984 by the Schuke company in Potsdam, incorporates nine registers and 399 pipes from the old Ibach organ. However, dust from renovations rendered it unplayable by 2014, leading to the temporary installation of a rental organ. Following its restoration, the organ was featured as Organ of the Month on the YouTube channel of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland in December 2021. The renovation included the addition of a new remote console with a MIDI sequencer.

The Bells of History

The church's bell tower houses a historic bell cast in 1508, weighing 1,482 kg and sounding a resonant C. This bell survived World War II, having been confiscated and later recovered from the Hamburg bell cemetery, returning home just before Christmas in 1947. In 1965, three new bronze bells from the Rincker company in Sinn, Hesse, were added to the belfry, enriching the church's soundscape.

A Beacon of Light

In 2013, the church received new exterior lighting, harmonizing with the adjacent town hall and enhancing its nighttime presence. This illumination underscores the church's role as a central and enduring landmark in Wiehl.

The Protestant Church in Wiehl is more than just a building; it is a living chronicle of the town's spiritual and communal journey. Its walls echo with the prayers of centuries, its windows tell stories of faith, and its bells ring with the resilience of a community that has weathered the storms of history. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a spiritual seeker, the Protestant Church in Wiehl offers a profound and enriching experience.