Reaching back to the 14th century, St. Jobst stands as a testament to Nuremberg’s history. This chapel, dedicated to Saint Jobst, has witnessed many changes. Originally, St. Jobst was part of a leprosarium, a place for people with leprosy. This leprosarium in Nuremberg-Erlenstegen dates back to the early 1300s. The chapel connected a church space with nine cells under one roof.
In 1891, St. Jobst underwent a partial transformation into a Neo-Gothic style. However, in 1943, it suffered heavy damage during the war. Despite these changes, the choir retains its genuine medieval character. The cemetery near St. Jobst was established in 1483. Not far from here on Äußere Sulzbacher Straße, you’ll find the gatekeeper’s house. It was built in 1938 and designed by Fritz Mayer.
Emperor Charles IV once visited St. Jobst. He was informed about Nuremberg’s advanced healthcare system. This shows the city’s commitment to progress even in those times. The artworks inside St. Jobst are mostly on loan. They come from Nuremberg’s Jakobskirche. These pieces add to the chapel’s beauty and historical value.
Consider the Ottmar Altar. It was created around 1500. The shrine depicts Mary with the Child. Saint Walburga and Saint Ottmar are also shown. This artwork is attributed to the Veit Stoss circle.
St. Jobst also features beautiful stained glass. In the choir, you can see depictions of Saint Jobst and Saint Christopher, created in 1507. There are also coat-of-arms panes. One shows the coat-of-arms of Christoff Derer, a caretaker, with his helmet and the Scheurl coat-of-arms, dating back to 1645. Another coat-of-arms pane belongs to the caretaker Johann Carl Schlüsselfelder, dating back to 1693.
Today, St. Jobst continues to serve as a place of worship. It also reminds us of Nuremberg’s rich past. From its beginnings as a leprosarium chapel to its modern role, St. Jobst remains a significant landmark. It reflects the city’s history, art, and commitment to community welfare. The church of St. Jobst belongs to a Lutheran congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.