“Und Friede auf Erden! Süßenborn” rings out on the Vierzehnheiligen’s younger bell. This Lutheran village church stands in Süßenborn a district of Weimar. Its history stretches back to Roman times. Today we will explore the unique story of Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen.
First mentioned in 1180, Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen boasts Romanesque roots. The narrow east tower above the sacristy has Romanesque sound openings. Look closely at the interior wall. A sacrament niche from Gothic times remains hidden there.
In 1820 and 1821 Clemens Wenzeslaus Coudray redesigned the three-bay nave. He used traditional forms with high flat-arched windows. Carl Friedrich Christian Steiner created the design. Heinrich Hess oversaw the construction. The nave connects to the tower via a high arch. The main entrance faces south. Take note of the sundial installed in 1821.
Two bronze bells ring in the tower of Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen. The older one was cast in 1871 by the Ulrich brothers of Apolda. It was nearly lost to the war in 1942. Fortunately it returned. The Rudolf Perner bell replaced several that had cracked or been lost in wars. Its dedication occurred November 6, 2010.
Notice the tower’s high ogee roof, lantern, and small cupola. Two bronze bowls cast in 1885 strike the quarter and hour. Friedrich Glaser donated them. A domed window with a central column and two arched windows hint at the original structure of Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen.
Johann Konrad Vockeroden built the first organ in 1723. It had nine stops a coupler and a tremulant. In 1872 Adalbert Foertsch built a new instrument. It featured a neo-Gothic prospect and 15 stops. Norbert Sperschneider removed the pipes during construction in 1985. Rösel and Hercher restored and reinstalled the instrument. The rededication of the organ occurred May 28, 2011.
The 20th century took its toll on Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen. In 1987 and 1988 Süßenborn residents re-roofed the nave. This prevented further decay. The church received new exterior plaster. The tower knob was repaired in 2002. The knob was gilded and topped with a weather vane. A festive service marked its reopening in 2009.
Lyonel Feininger sketched and painted Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen several times. A Feininger plaque on the village square commemorates his work since 2006. He sketched the church multiple times between 1920 and 1923. Afterward, he painted two oil paintings of the church.
Zu den Vierzehn Heiligen stands as a testament to Süßenborn’s resilience. Its blend of architectural styles reflects centuries of change. The dedication of local residents ensures its survival for generations to come.