Whispers of faith and resilience echo within the walls of the Igreja Evangélica Alemã. This unassuming church, nestled near Praça de Espanha in Lisbon, holds a rich history. The Igreja Evangélica Alemã might appear discreet, almost like a private residence. But don’t let its humble exterior fool you. This building holds the legacy of a community that has thrived in Lisbon for over 240 years. Its story begins long before its construction in 1934. As early as 1290, the German merchant brotherhood of St. Bartholomew found a home in the Church of S. Julião in Lisbon’s Baixa district. This brotherhood became a haven for individuals and groups embracing the Lutheran evangelical movement in the 16th century. The devastating earthquake of 1755 reshaped Lisbon, creating an opportunity for the Lutheran church to organize within the Dutch Embassy in 1761. Later, it found refuge in the Danish Embassy. By 1817, even before the official abolition of the Inquisition, the church gained its independence. The first autonomous Lutheran temple was the chapel of the German Cemetery, built in 1859. During and after World War I, between 1916 and 1922, the Igreja Evangélica Alemã relocated temporarily to Vigo and Madrid. The Igreja Evangélica Alemã we see today owes its existence to Pastor Genrich. He bravely refused the Nazi-appointed Lutheran authority at the church’s inauguration in 1934. He welcomed those who opposed the Reich’s policies, including sculptor Hein Semke. The community maintained a critical stance against the Third Reich. Yet, perhaps fearing retaliation, some members mysteriously removed one of Semke’s sculptures, a piece that remains missing to this day. The Igreja Evangélica Alemã stands as a testament to perseverance and quiet defiance. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, faith can find a way to flourish.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to