Listen closely. The story of St Martinus in Trier-Zewen is one of resilience. It’s a tale woven through centuries of faith and rebuilding. Right here before you stands the third iteration of this church.
St Martinus is more than just a church. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of the Zewen community. The first St Martinus church stood on a different site altogether. Its exact construction date is a mystery. We do know that the parish was first mentioned around 1330. A 1589 painting in the Simeonstift Museum in Trier shows a small single-nave church with a prominent central tower. This little church served the community for centuries. It wasn’t until 1805 that Zewen became an independent parish. Even then the original church proved too small.
A second St Martinus church rose in its place in 1819. It was larger more substantial. The congregation contributed significantly to its construction. They hauled stones and slate. Twenty-five fir trees came from the community forest. This church stood proudly for 126 years. Then came World War II. On January 13 1945 a devastating bombing raid on Trier hit Zewen. Though not directly hit the church’s roof and ceiling collapsed. The interior was completely destroyed.
Repairs were made in 1948. The church reopened but soon proved too small again. Expansion was impossible. Surrounded by streets and houses growth was limited. The solution a new church built on Lindscheidstrasse. This is the St Martinus you see today. The old church was meant to become a parish hall. However foundation problems caused by a nearby drainage ditch led to its demolition in 1975. A commemorative stone now marks the spot.
This final St Martinus which was built between 1957 and 1959 has a unique design. To emphasize the altar the nave is wide and the side walls are windowless. Light streams in from a huge west window and a lantern above the altar. The sacristy is in the west choir. This allows the priest to process through the entire congregation. The roof’s open truss structure is quite striking. Part of the north wall is embedded three meters deep in the mountain. Thus the side entrance leads down a short staircase.
The bells of St Martinus have their own story. Three bells hang in the church tower. A fourth space is available. The oldest the Marienglocke dates from 1432. The Martinusglocke cast in 1685 was recast in 1978. The largest the Christusglocke was cast in 1978. The small bell was not originally meant for Zewen. Its inscription mentions the word Clerum suggesting monastic origins. The middle bell was made for Zewen. It was “requisitioned” during World War II. Fortunately it survived and returned to Zewen in 1948.
As you stand here contemplate the history of this church. Each stone each window holds a story. St Martinus in Trier-Zewen is a living testament to faith perseverance and the enduring power of community.