Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund

Sankt Petri - Knowledge

The pulpit figures in St. Peter's Church

The figures in the tower entrance of St. Peter's Church come from the former pulpit of this church. The pulpit was first partially and then completely destroyed in the Second World War during the bombing raids on Dortmund between 1943 and 1945. Christ, Peter, the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as well as the Old Testament figures of David and Aaron and Moses with the tablets of the law still remain from the original figure decoration. An angel also survived the war.

The former pulpit in St. Peter's

The former pulpit of St. Peter's was originally attached to the south-eastern pillar of the church. There was already a predecessor pulpit in a similar form at this location, from which the figures of David and Aaron may have been preserved. in 1710, the carpenter Johann Neuhauser and the sculptor Albert Hassenburg were commissioned to build a new pulpit. After the church tower collapsed onto the roof of the church in 1752, the pulpit had to be replaced. This was made in 1776 by Thomas Kenthan.

Description of the former pulpit

The priest entered the pulpit from the south through a door. A small winding staircase led up to the pulpit. Above the pulpit was the so-called sound cover, which ensured that the sound was carried into the church. The pulpit was decorated with figures of the four evangelists set in niches and reliefs depicting biblical scenes from the Old and New Testaments. You can experience the former pulpit in a three-dimensional model or view the historical photos in this app.

What is a pulpit?

Pulpits are raised places in a church from which the biblical scriptures are interpreted and preached. Together with the baptismal font and altar or communion table, it was one of the three most important items of church equipment. Nowadays, they are only used for very busy church services, as preachers can not only be heard well, but can also be seen better. Pulpits are also found in synagogues and mosques. They are called bima or minbar.

The current pulpit in St. Petri

Today, the pulpit of St. Peter's is located on the north-eastern corner pillar between the choir and the nave. It was made in 1967 for the new furnishings after the reconstruction. The stone pulpit is kept simple: The priest reaches the conically folded pulpit basket from the choir via a four-step staircase.

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Dortmund

Sankt Petri - Knowledge