Eschborn’s oldest building stands before us. This is the Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn. Imagine a history stretching back to the early Middle Ages.
In 770, Eschborn was first mentioned in a document. Two brothers donated land to Lorsch Abbey. They wanted the monks to pray for their souls.
A church in Eschborn was first mentioned in 875. A severe storm in the Taunus caused the Westerbach to flood Eschborn. The entire village and church were devastated. Eighty-eight people died.
Soon after this, a new church was built on the same spot. Its remains lie under the foundations of today’s Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn.
Eschborn was once a key religious center. It was the seat of a deanery headed by an archpriest. He oversaw over 40 parishes nearby. This likely explains why the new church was built as a three-aisled Romanesque basilica. Delegations from all parishes needed space. Church gatherings were held in Eschborn.
The Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn was extensively rebuilt in the 14th century. Until the Reformation in 1522 or 1526, it was dedicated to Saint Lambertus. He was the patron saint of Eschborn. The Knights of Kronberg were patrons of the church. They chose the pastor. They maintained the church and rectory. Three corbel stones in the choir display the Kronberg coat of arms.
The church and tower belong to the parish. The town has maintained the tower since the Middle Ages. This includes the bells and clock. The church bells once warned all Eschborn residents of danger. The tower clock was the village’s only public clock for a long time.
The Thirty Years’ War disrupted the village in 1622. Eschborn was caught between imperial commander Tilly and Duke Christian of Brunswick. The village was burned and the Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn was badly damaged.
Reconstruction began in 1624 during the war. Eschborn no longer needed a three-aisled basilica. It had lost its role as an archpriest’s seat. Only the central nave was rebuilt. The side aisles were removed. Inside, the blocked arches to a side aisle are still visible. The sacristy with a groin vault likely stands on the remains of the former western side aisle.
To create more space, wooden galleries were added. The carved wooden pulpit dates from 1665. The baroque crucifix above the altar is from 1660. Pews were installed in the 19th century. The altar is made of stone with a black marble top.
For many years, the tower was Eschborn’s landmark. It is likely the oldest part of the Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn. It stands 36 meters tall with thick walls at the base. In 1677, the tower received its current dome.
The interior and windows are simple. The walls are white. In 1926, the ceiling and gallery were painted by Otto Linnemann. These paintings are being restored.
The organ from 1861 was built by Friedrich Voigt. In World War I, the tin organ pipes were melted down. They were replaced in 1922. The organ was expanded from 1967 to 1970.
Three bells hang in the Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn tower today. They were all made by the Rincker bell foundry. In World War II, two bells were melted down. In 1950, the parish raised enough money to add two bells.
A sandstone tombstone stands inside, near the sacristy wall. It dates from the 18th century. It was once in the center aisle floor. The inscription is worn. A chalice suggests it belonged to a pastor but his name is unknown.
Until recently, two sandstone tombstones of former Eschborn pastors were on the church tower’s south wall. They are being restored. The city of Eschborn is paying for their renovation.
One stone belonged to Pastor Johannes Gärtner. He became pastor in Eschborn in 1697 and died in 1730. The second tombstone is for Pastor Johann Hulderich Schwalbach. He was pastor in Eschborn from 1730 to 1773. After restoration, both tombstones will return to their place on the Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn.
A bronze plaque commemorates the victims of the world wars and Nazism. A large bronze crucifix by Knud Knudsen from 1957 is above the plaque. The Evangelische Stadtkirche Eschborn stands as a testament to time and faith. Its walls whisper tales of survival. They tell of community and art. Its history is etched in every stone.