Listen closely. The story of Kirche zu Curau whispers on the wind. Right here before you stands a testament to faith resilience and fire.
This unassuming church in Curau a village near Lübeck holds a history spanning centuries. It’s not just a pretty building. It is the third church on this very spot.
Imagine the first church built around 1160. It was a Vicelin church a style common in this region. Built of fieldstones bound with gypsum mortar it stood for centuries. However its condition deteriorated by 1683 necessitating a replacement.
The second church met a fiery end. On July 24 1827 a great fire consumed it along with much of Curau. Only its outer walls survived the blaze.
But the spirit of Curau wasn’t extinguished. Construction on the current Kirche zu Curau began in 1828. It was completed and consecrated just a year later on April 5 1829.
Notice the red brick the fieldstone base. See the classicist portal and the elegant apse. The church’s design is both simple and dignified reflecting its role as a spiritual center.
Three bells call the faithful. One is a historical gem cast in 1704 by Caspar Henrich Castell of Lübeck. It originally hung in Lübeck’s Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche. The other two were cast in 1953.
Above the portal a marble plaque bears a meaningful inscription. It quotes Psalm 26:8 “Lord I love the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth”. This sentiment echoes through the centuries.
The church has faced numerous challenges. Renovations in the 1960s and 1970s revealed flaws. The unstable roof tiles led to a complete roof replacement in 2006. Yet the church endures a symbol of enduring faith.
So next time you stand before Kirche zu Curau remember this isn’t just stone and mortar. It’s a living testament to a community’s unwavering devotion. It’s a story of loss rebuilding and the enduring power of faith.