Remember that fateful day in November 2023? The roof of St Elisabeth in Kassel collapsed. It was midday. A worker was inside. Luckily he was unharmed. The damage was extensive though. The precious Bosch-Bornefeld organ was damaged. Other artworks may have been destroyed too.
St Elisabeth isn’t just any church. It’s a significant landmark in Kassel. Built in 1959-60 it replaced an older church. That one was destroyed in World War II. This new St Elisabeth stands on the other side of Friedrichsplatz. It’s a striking building. Its rectangular design features a copper-covered gabled roof. Red bricks clad the upper two-thirds of its walls. Large windows offer a clear view of the outside.
The church’s unique features extend beyond its architecture. Five paintings by Johann Heinrich Tischbein were saved from the old Elisabethkirche. They are now part of St Elisabeth’s collection. Other notable artworks include a monumental altarpiece by Alfred Schöpffe. There’s also a sculpture of Saint Elisabeth herself. The remains of Landgrave Friedrich II are interred in a modern sarcophagus inside. He converted to Catholicism in 1749.
The original organ from 1965 was replaced in 2015. The replacement? A magnificent instrument with 57 stops. It’s a Bosch-Bornefeld organ. It was originally built for the Martinskirche. This wasn’t just a transfer. A second gallery was built to house the monumental organ. It was a significant upgrade.
St Elisabeth is more than just a place of worship. It’s a cultural hub. It hosts concerts. Lectures and even exhibitions are held there. This includes some documenta projects. The church has hosted contemporary art exhibitions since documenta 11. One notable exhibit featured a sculpture by Stephan Balkenhol. It caused a bit of a stir. The art curator found the prominent placement of Balkenhol’s work disruptive.
The future of St Elisabeth remains uncertain. The roof collapse presents significant challenges. Yet plans are underway. The parish published a report. They asked the community for input on the church’s future. The fate of this remarkable place is yet to be written. Let’s hope it will continue to thrive as a beacon of faith and art. A place of worship and a cultural treasure.