St. Nikolaus

Had anyone ever imagined a church rising from the ashes of its predecessor, not once, but twice? Here in Opfingen, a district of Freiburg im Breisgau, stands St. Nikolaus, a testament to resilience. St. Nikolaus isn’t just a building. It’s a story etched in stone and wood, a story of faith reborn. The original St. Nikolaus Chapel, dedicated to the beloved patron saint of children and sailors, was a daughter church of Wippertskirch. It fell victim to the Reformation in 1556, deemed unnecessary, its remnants vanishing by 1768. The spirit of St. Nikolaus, however, was far from extinguished. Centuries later, between 1984 and 1986, a new St. Nikolaus emerged. Architect Michael Geis breathed life into a modern structure. He used regional materials. Sandstein, plastered brickwork, and wood were shaped into a striking form. The large, tiered saddle roof and the sturdy, hexagonal tower became new landmarks. Inside St. Nikolaus, light dances through the space, illuminating the artwork within. An 1885 altar, originally from Waltershofen’s Peter and Paul church, takes center stage against the chancel’s back wall. Before it sits the modern altar. The ambo and baptismal font, crafted from red sandstone by Freiburg sculptor H.P. Wernet, complete the sacred ensemble. Wernet’s touch also graces the oak entrance portal. It depicts St. Nikolaus offering a blessing. Above, the 2003 Jäger & Brommer organ fills the church with music. Its twenty-two registers and Zimbelstern enhance the spiritual atmosphere. Below, in the tower, four bells resonate. One, cast in 1986, was later joined by three others in 2019. They ring out the Salve Regina, a hymn to the Queen of Heaven. St. Nikolaus stands as a symbol of renewal, a quiet reminder that even in the face of change, faith can find new ways to express itself. It invites you to reflect not only on the history of this specific place, but also on the enduring power of belief.