Pray you step closer to witness the story of \u00c9glise catholique Sainte-Madeleine. This church stands as a testament to faith and resilience in Strasbourg. Its history is layered with tales of destruction and rebirth.
The first traces of a Sainte-Madeleine parish date back to 1225. A convent was built to house former prostitutes who had repented. However, the convent was shut down in 1470. Fearing an imminent Burgundian invasion, the city had it evacuated.
Later in 1478 a new convent found its home in the Krutenau district. This structure stood until a devastating fire in 1904. Only the choir remained of the Gothic church. It now serves as a chapel and is dedicated to the Holy Sacrament.
In 1907 architect Fritz Beblo designed the current church. His vision created a more spacious building. Sadly, Anglo-American bombing raids severely damaged it in August 1944. Rebuilt identically, it reopened in 1958.
\u00c9glise catholique Sainte-Madeleine is not just a building. It is a place of continuous worship. Daily Mass takes place here. Adoration, confessions, and the Rosary are offered every day. This happens just a short walk from the cathedral.
Inside \u00c9glise catholique Sainte-Madeleine you can admire a superb Stations of the Cross. This is the work of the painter René Kuder.
The church once housed a Silbermann organ. This instrument was sold to Lampertheim in 1799. The chapel of the Sacred Heart holds an organ. It is on loan from the Musée des Arts décoratifs de Strasbourg since 2011. Andreas Silbermann built it originally for Marmoutier. But a dispute led to its sale to Haguenau’s Grey Sisters.
The Roethinger organ was destroyed in the 1944 bombings. A second Roethinger was inaugurated by Michel Chapuis and Robert Pfrimmer. Michel Wolf carried out a complete overhaul in 1997 and 1998. Works on the building took place in 2004. Alfred and Daniel Kern restored the organ, replacing the keyboards.
Today, \u00c9glise catholique Sainte-Madeleine stands as a symbol of enduring faith. Its walls have witnessed centuries of Strasbourg’s history. It is a place of reflection and community. Visitors are welcome to join in its daily celebrations. The church is a vibrant part of Strasbourg. It is a testament to its people’s spirit.