St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
51°20′21″N 12°22′21″E / 51.33917°N 12.37250°E
For other uses, see St. Thomas' Church (disambiguation).
Thomaskirche
St. Thomas Church
Germany
Active
Gothic
Romanesque (choir/nave)
12th century
1884–1889 (renovations)
68 metres (223 ft)
Britta Taddiken
Johannes Lang
The St. Thomas Church (German: Thomaskirche) is a Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, located at the western part of the inner city ring road in Leipzig's central district. Martin Luther preached in the church in 1539. It is associated with several well-known composers, especially Johann Sebastian Bach, who was its Thomaskantor (music director) from 1723 until his death in 1750. The church holds his remains.
Although rebuilt over the centuries and damaged by Allied incendiary bombs in 1943, the church mainly retains the character of a late-Gothic hall church. The Thomanerchor, the church choir, likely founded in 1212, is an internationally known boys' choir.
Choir[edit]
The Thomanerchor, the choir of the Thomaskirche, was founded in 1212 and is one of the oldest and most famous boys' choirs in Germany. It is headed by the Thomaskantor, an office that has been held by many well-known composers and musicians, including Johann Sebastian Bach from 1723 until his death in 1750.
The Sauer organ
The Woehl organ
The Scheibe-organ from 1717 in Pauliner-/University-Church, certificated by Bach, was the inspiration for Woehl´s organ case
Exterior of Thomaskirche from north east
Altar and Bach´s tomb
Exterior with Bach monument
Stained-glass Bach church window (detail)
Interior of Thomaskirche, view to west
