Church of Saint Maurice (Ebersmunster)
Encyclopedia
The abbey
church Saint Maurice
(French
:Abbatiale Saint-Maurice) is the main attraction of the village of Ebersmunster
near Sélestat
, Alsace
.
The church completed in 1727, the work of Vorarlberg
architect Peter Thumb
, is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque
churches in France
.
monastery
, originally founded in the 7th century and belonging to the oldest in Alsace. The relatively plain exterior of the building, construction of which was started in the late 17th century to replace a much older predecessor, is related in its rectangular floor plan to a medieval
form of architectural language and indicates nothing of the richness of the interior design and furnishing. These are largely the work of Tyrolean
artists: the ceiling paintings (1730–1733), with depictions of the legends of Maurice and of Benedict
are by Josef Mattes (nave) and Joseph Mages (chorus , transept, crossing); the choir and confessionals
were also made by Tyrolians. Some Alsatians and Germans were however involved in the design of the bright and colorful interior: The expressive Samson pulpit
(see also St. George's Church, Sélestat) is a work by Clemens Winterhalder and the mighty main altar
(1728) one by Jean-Léonard Meyer from Sélestat The other altars are works by Anton von Wihl, from Sélestat, and Anton Ketterer, from Colmar
.
In the church there is also a pipe organ
constructed 1730–1732 by Andreas Silbermann
, which is one of the best preserved works of the famous organ builder. It was carefully restored in 1997–1999.
Each year between May and July, a concert series,Les heures musicales d'Ebersmunster is held in the abbey church, the benefits going to its restoration.
). Checks showed that the foundation's support of the tower is no longer sufficient and that this part of the building was in danger of collapse. In 2007, the municipality brought in as temporary solution steel supports to the outer tower. On 29th January 2009, after lengthy calculation and distribution of costs on state, region, department and community the construction works for the permanent consolidation and restoration of the tower began. Between 2001 and 2004, the nave's altars and celing had already been restored.
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
church Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms...
(French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
:Abbatiale Saint-Maurice) is the main attraction of the village of Ebersmunster
Ebersmunster
Ebersmunster is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is famous for its 1727 baroque church, a work by Vorarlberg architect Peter Thumb.-References:*...
near Sélestat
Sélestat
Sélestat is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.In 2006, Sélestat had a total population of 19,459. The Communauté de communes de Sélestat et environs had a total population of 35,397.-Geography:...
, Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
.
The church completed in 1727, the work of Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is the westernmost federal-state of Austria. Although it is the second smallest in terms of area and population , it borders three countries: Germany , Switzerland and Liechtenstein...
architect Peter Thumb
Peter Thumb
Peter Thumb was an Austrian architect whose family came from the Vorarlberg, the westernmost part of Austria. He is best known for his Rococo architecture, mainly in Southern Germany...
, is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
churches in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Description
Saint Maurice served as the abbey church of a now defunct BenedictineBenedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
, originally founded in the 7th century and belonging to the oldest in Alsace. The relatively plain exterior of the building, construction of which was started in the late 17th century to replace a much older predecessor, is related in its rectangular floor plan to a medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
form of architectural language and indicates nothing of the richness of the interior design and furnishing. These are largely the work of Tyrolean
County of Tyrol
The County of Tyrol, Princely County from 1504, was a State of the Holy Roman Empire, from 1814 a province of the Austrian Empire and from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
artists: the ceiling paintings (1730–1733), with depictions of the legends of Maurice and of Benedict
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
are by Josef Mattes (nave) and Joseph Mages (chorus , transept, crossing); the choir and confessionals
Confessional
A confessional is a small, enclosed booth used for the Sacrament of Penance, often called confession, or Reconciliation. It is the usual venue for the sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church, but similar structures are also used in Anglican churches of an Anglo-Catholic orientation, and also in the...
were also made by Tyrolians. Some Alsatians and Germans were however involved in the design of the bright and colorful interior: The expressive Samson pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
(see also St. George's Church, Sélestat) is a work by Clemens Winterhalder and the mighty main altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
(1728) one by Jean-Léonard Meyer from Sélestat The other altars are works by Anton von Wihl, from Sélestat, and Anton Ketterer, from Colmar
Colmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
.
In the church there is also a pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
constructed 1730–1732 by Andreas Silbermann
Andreas Silbermann
Andreas Silbermann was a German organ builder, who was involved in the construction of 35 organs, mostly in Alsace...
, which is one of the best preserved works of the famous organ builder. It was carefully restored in 1997–1999.
Each year between May and July, a concert series,Les heures musicales d'Ebersmunster is held in the abbey church, the benefits going to its restoration.
Dimensions
The main dimensions are as follows- Outside length: 68.9 m (226 ft)
- Outer width of the facade:25 m (82 ft)
- Inside length: 56.8 m (186.4 ft)
- Width of nave: 19.9 m (65.3 ft)
- Width of choir: 12.3 m (40.4 ft)
- Internal height of nave: 19.3 m (63.3 ft)
- Internal height of choir: 16.3 m (53.5 ft)
- Height of façade towers: 47.8 m (156.8 ft)
- Height of rear tower: 44.7 m (146.7 ft)
Repair works
In 2004, cracks are found on the walls of the rear tower (called Tour des païens or Tower of the heathenPaganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
). Checks showed that the foundation's support of the tower is no longer sufficient and that this part of the building was in danger of collapse. In 2007, the municipality brought in as temporary solution steel supports to the outer tower. On 29th January 2009, after lengthy calculation and distribution of costs on state, region, department and community the construction works for the permanent consolidation and restoration of the tower began. Between 2001 and 2004, the nave's altars and celing had already been restored.