St. Maria in Bühl, nestled in the charming district of Kappelwindeck in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, stands as a testament to centuries of religious devotion and architectural splendor. This Roman Catholic parish church, a protected cultural monument, is not just a place of worship but a beacon of history, artistry, and community spirit.
The origins of St. Maria are shrouded in the mists of time, with suggestions that a place of worship existed on this site as far back as the medieval period. The current structure, however, owes its existence to the vision and craftsmanship of Franz Ignaz Krohmer, a master builder under the tutelage of the renowned Balthasar Neumann. Between 1763 and 1766, Krohmer's design brought to life a cross-shaped church erected on the foundations of its medieval predecessor.
The early 20th century saw significant enhancements to St. Maria. In 1910-1911, architect Johannes Schroth expanded the church, adding a transept and a chancel with a three-sided closure to the east. This expansion culminated in 1912 with the consecration of the high altar by Archbishop Thomas Nörber of Freiburg, in honor of the Nativity of Mary, alongside two side altars dedicated to St. Joseph and the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
The western façade of St. Maria is a visual feast, segmented into three parts and adorned with pilasters. Dominating this façade is the onion dome tower, a hallmark of baroque architecture, crowned with a lantern and a smaller onion dome, topped by a tower globe and cross. Four angelic figures, representing the Western Church Doctors - Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, and Ambrose - flank the belfry, adding a celestial touch to the structure.
Beneath the clock face of the tower, a niche shelters a statue of the Immaculate Mary, a serene presence that blesses the church's exterior. The façade's corners are graced with statues of St. Nicholas of Myra on the right and Pope Sylvester on the left, both standing as guardians of this sacred space.
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High in the octagonal belfry of St. Maria resides a steel bell frame housing seven bells, arranged across three levels. Except for the second smallest bell, cast in 1921 by the Grüninger bell foundry in Villingen, the remaining bells were created in 1950 by Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling in Heidelberg. These bells, with their harmonious chimes, call the faithful to prayer and mark the passage of time with their resonant tones.
Stepping inside St. Maria, visitors are enveloped by the grandeur of its hall church design. The nave and aisles, covered by barrel vaults supported by pilasters, create an atmosphere of reverence and awe. The richly decorated pulpit in the nave features a cherub holding two tablets inscribed with Roman numerals, symbolizing the Ten Commandments.
The church's furnishings are a blend of historical and artistic treasures. The neo-baroque high altar, crafted by Rudolf Preißler in 1960-61, features an altarpiece from 1789 depicting the Nativity of Mary, flanked by statues of her parents, Anna and Joachim. The left side altar, dedicated to St. Joseph, showcases a painting of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, accompanied by statues of St. Sylvester and St. Nicholas. The right side altar honors the Fourteen Holy Helpers, with a central painting flanked by statues of St. Apollonia, holding pliers and a tooth, and St. Odilia, with two eyes on a book.
The organ, located on the gallery at the rear of the church, is a masterpiece in its own right. Built by Johannes Klais Orgelbau between 1963 and 1966, it boasts 2,697 pipes across 37 registers on three manuals and a pedal. The organ case, originally from an instrument built by Ferdinand Stieffel in 1778 for the Bühler Church of St. Peter and Paul, was relocated to Kappelwindeck around 1900. Previous organs by Anton Kiene (1901) and Xaver Mönch (1928/29) preceded the current Klais organ, which incorporates the original central case flanked by newly designed side wings.
St. Maria in Bühl is more than just a church; it is a living chronicle of faith, artistry, and history. Its walls and halls echo with the prayers and hymns of generations, while its architectural and artistic splendors invite admiration and contemplation. Whether you are a pilgrim, a history enthusiast, or an admirer of baroque architecture, a visit to St. Maria promises a journey through time and a feast for the senses.
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