The Castle Church
was begun in 1490 and completed in 1509. Only years later did Martin
Luther post his 95 Theses on the church’s door attacking the corrupt sale of
indulgences by the Catholic Church. He posted the Theses in Latin
intending to start an academic debate. They were quickly translated into
German and the newly invented movable type printing press spread the message
over Germany becoming one of the major sparks for reformation.
Luther usually
preached in another church, but his funeral was held February 22, 1546 and he
was buried in Castle Church. His grave is near the choir loft.
Sadly, the original
doors on which Luther posted his Theses burned in the 1706 fire when the French
bombarded the city in the Seven-Year War. Today the doors are bronzed and bare
the Latin text of the 95 Theses.
As you go in the
foyer there is a painting of Luther and Melanchthon kneeling before the
crucifixion of Christ against the back drop of Wittenberg. Luther is holding a
German Bible and Melanchthon is holding the Augsburg Confession of Faith.
Printed around the
prominent round tower of the church is the title of Luther’s famous hymn, “A
Might Fortress Is Our God.”
The nave is
decorated with bronze medallions of reformation and free standing statues of
Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon and several other German reformers.
I have not visited
this church yet but will be there on the 500th anniversary of the
reformation, October 31, 2017. I pray for the boldness of Martin Luther.
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