127 Nikolaus Chapel in Dörflas

127 Nikolaus Chapel in Dörflas

The smallest church in Central Germany is located in Dörflas.

In 2010, the German broadcaster MDR launched an initiative called “Schwefelhölzchen,” encouraging viewers to support people in need.

As part of this campaign, they also searched for the smallest church with a tower in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

Around 30 church communities participated in the competition.

Measurements revealed that the chapel is 5.40 meters wide and 8.80 meters long, with an interior space of approximately 30 square meters—making it the smallest church in Central Germany.

Dörflas is a small village picturesquely nestled in the Thuringian Vogtland region, halfway between Schleiz and Ziegenrück along the long-distance hiking trail E3, near the Saale Cycle Route.

The church was originally built in 1935 as an estate chapel for the former manor of Dörflas.

The builders took inspiration from the Trinity Church in Gera.

In 1945, during the land reform, ownership of the chapel was transferred to the Crispendorf parish, while the manor itself was destroyed in 1948.

Only the chapel remained.

Between 1998 and 1999, a dedicated group of volunteers painstakingly restored the small, dilapidated church.

On Pentecost Monday in 1999, it was rededicated in the name of Bishop Nicholas of Myra.

Since then, the chapel has once again served as a place of worship for the residents of Dörflas.

In addition to monthly church services, the installation of a new electronic organ has made it possible to hold sacred evening music concerts.

The chapel also hosts baptisms and other church ceremonies.

Contact:

Friends’ Association of the Nikolaus Chapel Dörflas
Schleizer Str. 86
07937 Zeulenroda-Triebes
Phone: 036628/62835