116 St. Bartholomäi in Dornheim – The Wedding Church of J. S. Bach

116 St. Bartholomäi in Dornheim – The Wedding Church of J. S. Bach

In this church, Johann Sebastian Bach married his first wife, Maria Barbara Bach, on October 17, 1707.

Earlier that year, in June, he had left Arnstadt to become the organist at St. Blasii Church in Mühlhausen.

His future wife, his second cousin, still lived with her aunt in Arnstadt. It is said that the wedding guests walked through stubble fields from Arnstadt to Dornheim, holding hands and singing cheerful songs along the way.

The couple had seven children, including the famous sons, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

Maria Barbara Bach died at the age of 36 in Köthen.

The church, originally built in the 12th century, still retains its tower and parts of the west wall.

The large tripartite carved altar and the crucifix date back to the 15th century.

Over the years, the church was expanded and rebuilt.

The galleries and the pulpit altar were added in 1724, and the bell tower was constructed in 1817.

When you look through the entrance gate, a peaceful atmosphere overwhelms you.

The church, with its low red roof, is surrounded by the churchyard.

The entrance to the galleries is directly above the main entrance, and there is a monument in the churchyard dedicated to the great composer.

 

Further Information:

Freundeskreis zur Erhaltung der Traukirche J. S. Bach in Dornheim e. V.
Am Teichgarten 30 a
99310 Dornheim
Tel.: +49 3628 / 485 43
Fax: +49 3628 / 588 81 80

http://www.bach-in-dornheim.de