Coudray Church - Rastenberg City Church
Coudray Church - Rastenberg City Church
In the cemetery of the town of Rastenberg stood the first parish church. The exact location of the small church "Sankt Kiliani" is not known.
The convent church "Beatae Virginis Mariae" belonged to the nunnery of St. Mary, near the upper gate, and was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Cistercian monastery was mentioned in a document in 1294.
After the Reformation arrived in Rastenberg, the Cistercian convent was abandoned and the nuns left Rastenberg.
Around 1550, the Roman Catholic monastery church was converted into a Protestant parish church at great financial expense. The previous parish church of St. Kilian was in such poor condition that it was left to its fate.
The parish, colloquially called "Old Parish" still stands today next to the cemetery, was still used for over 300 years.
Rastenberg and its parish church suffered mightily during the 30 Years War (1618-1648). On August 31, 1631, passing Croats plundered and on May 18, 1637, the imperial troops set fire to a part of Rastenberg.
It was not until after the war that reconstruction began in Rastenberg and the church was rededicated in 1655.
However, only 169 years should pass until the next blow of fate, the great city fire of 1824. 42 residential buildings and the school with the church fell victim to the flames.
Thanks to the generous support of the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach, the reconstruction of the church could be started shortly after its destruction. According to the designs and under the construction management of the Grand Ducal Chief Building Director Clemens Wenzeslaus Coudray, a classicist sacral church was built within two years. The church was consecrated on December 14, 1826.
At present, the church and organ are being extensively renovated. The target date for completion is the 200th anniversary of the consecration of the church, on December 14, 2026.
Details
Germany
Rastenberg
99636
Lossaer street 8