“If only these stones could talk,” what tales would the Evangelische Gemeinde Bad Soden reveal? This church stands as a testament to resilience and faith. It is nestled in the heart of Bad Soden am Taunus.
The Evangelische Gemeinde Bad Soden’s story starts long ago. The first church on this site dates back to 1482. Before that, Soden belonged to the Vogtei Sulzbach. Sulzbach had the only church.
In 1482, the people of Soden asked the Archbishop of Mainz for permission to build their own chapel. They dedicated it to Saint Valentine. Count Johann von Solms Mützenberg donated the land. This is where the Evangelische Gemeinde Bad Soden stands today.
The chapel was completed and dedicated on August 29, 1490. A sacristy was added in 1510. It still exists today. Frankfurt embraced the Reformation in 1525. This led Sulzbach and Bad Soden to become Protestant too. They were under Frankfurt’s protection. A fire devastated Soden in 1552. Much of the town was destroyed including the chapel. Only the sacristy survived.
During the Thirty Years’ War in 1622, battle raged near Höchst. The Protestant Union lost and retreated. On their way back, they set Sulzbach and parts of Soden on fire. The chapel was damaged again. The first Catholic service was held in the chapel on April 30, 1626.
In 1715, the community decided to build a new stone church. The cornerstone was laid on June 12. The building was completed by September of the following year. The sacristy from 1510 was integrated into the new church. The construction was funded by church funds and collections. Despite having its own church, Soden wasn’t yet an independent parish. Joachim Hoppe installed a new organ in 1722. Two new bells were added in 1777. Another bell followed in 1808. The church’s interior was remodeled in 1825. A new altar made of marble slabs was erected. New windows with mirrored glass were also installed.
Soden finally became an independent parish in 1852. Wilhelmi became the first pastor. He was inaugurated on August 26, 1852. A new organ was installed and dedicated in 1859. The church tower was built in 1877. The old wooden tower on the east side was removed a year later.
A ditch with a wall was built around the church in 1904 to keep it dry. The entire interior was renovated in 1907 and 1908. A new heating system was installed. A new organ was installed and dedicated on April 11, 1908. New stairs were added at the side door. The interior was replastered and a new pulpit stair was installed. Windows and parts of the interior were destroyed in World War II. Two of the three bells were removed for the war effort. One was found in 1947 in Hamburg. The church tower and roof were renovated in 1951. Another major interior renovation took place in 1957. The central window in the choir room was broken. New windows by Heinz Hindorf were added. A new floor was laid and the heating system was converted from coke to oil. The church underwent extensive renovations in 1995 and 1996. Baroque panel paintings from around 1720 were discovered. The central heating system was converted from oil to natural gas. From September 2011 to Easter 2012, the roof was renewed. It was discovered that the base of the roof was weakened by moisture and had to be replaced.
Today, the Evangelische Gemeinde Bad Soden continues to be a spiritual anchor. It has witnessed centuries of change. It stands as a symbol of faith. Remember its story as you explore Bad Soden. Let the enduring spirit of this church inspire you.