Hidden amongst the rolling hills of Urbich stands Sankt Ulrici. A testament to time’s relentless march. This unassuming village church holds centuries of stories within its aged walls.
Sankt Ulrici in Erfurt isn’t just a pretty face. Its origins trace back to the Romanesque era. Precise dates remain elusive. The church’s layout however retains a distinct Romanesque character. Possibly an apse once adorned the structure. Small Romanesque windows peek from the north side of the first gallery. Another similar window is embedded in the north wall of the altar area. Visible only from the exterior it’s now bricked up. Romanesque plaster remnants and brickwork are visible on the same outer wall.
Over the centuries Sankt Ulrici has undergone numerous transformations. Extensive renovations reshaped its form. Remnants of Gothic paintwork still cling to the interior walls. On the tabernacle left of the altar the year 1444 is etched. A small Gothic winged altar crafted at the end of the 15th century for the church of Urbich is on loan at the Angermuseum.
The altar itself is a fascinating patchwork. The stone altar table hails from the Gothic period. The wooden superstructure portraying the Last Supper is Baroque. Above it sits a pulpit integrated into the back wall. This separates the altar area from a small sacristy. In 2001 during restoration work panel paintings were uncovered and restored from this pulpit.
1783 marked the culmination of extensive rebuilding. Two galleries were added. Large windows were installed on the south side. This is where the congregation sits. The church tower’s corner stones were replaced.
The church’s interior decor dating from the early 19th century was also restored. In Advent 2001 after extensive repairs the mechanical pipe organ was rededicated. Of the two original bells only the older and larger one remains. Cast in 1757 by N J Sorber in Erfurt using material from its predecessor. It has a diameter of 0.96 meters and weighs 574.5 kg. The smaller bell was unfortunately lost during wartime. The cycle of loss and renewal continues even to this day. Sankt Ulrici’s bell echoes through time. A silent witness to the ebb and flow of history.