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Marktkirche, Hanover

Market Church
Market Church of Ss. George and James
  • German: Marktkirche St. Georgii et Jacobi
  • or simply Marktkirche
Marktkirche Hannover vom Rathaus.jpg
Market Church, seen from Hanover's city hall
Market Church is located in Lower Saxony
Market Church
Market Church
Location within Lower Saxony
52°22′18″N 09°44′06″E / 52.37167°N 9.73500°E / 52.37167; 9.73500Coordinates: 52°22′18″N 09°44′06″E / 52.37167°N 9.73500°E / 52.37167; 9.73500
Location Hanover
Country Germany
Denomination Lutheran
Website www.marktkirche-hannover.de
History
Dedication
Consecrated ~ 1360
Architecture
Status parish church
bishop's preaching venue
Functional status active
Architectural type hall church
Style Brick Gothic
Groundbreaking 1347
Completed 1366 (1366)
Specifications
Length 61.5 metres (202 ft)
Width 26.6 metres (87 ft)
Nave width 8 metres (26 ft) centre
5.4 metres (18 ft) lateral
Spire height 97.26 metres (319.1 ft)
Materials brick
Administration
Parish Marktkirchengemeinde, Hanover
Deanery Hanover City (Stadtkirchenverband)
Synod Lutheran Church of Hanover

The Marktkirche St. Georgii et Jacobi (Market Church of Sts. George and James), commonly known as Marktkirche ("The Church on the Marketplace"), is the main Lutheran church in Hanover, Germany. It was built in the 14th century and, together with the nearby Old Town Hall, is considered the southernmost example of the North German brick gothic (norddeutsche Backsteingotik) architectural style. The roof and the vaults of the naves were destroyed in an air raid in 1943 and restored in 1952.

The church is a hallenkirche (hall church). Above the nave and two aisles rises a monumental saddleback roof. The high western tower was a symbol for the power and the wealth of the citizens of the town. It is still one of the highest towers in Lower-Saxony and a landmark of the city.

The main altar was carved of linden wood, around 1480. The front depicts the Passion of Christ in 21 scenes, following models of Martin Schongauer. The back shows scenes from the lives of the two patron saints, Saint George and Saint James. The altar was moved to the Aegidienkirche in 1663 to make room for a Baroque altar. In 1856 it was taken to the Welfenmuseum and thus was not destroyed during World War II. It was returned to the Marktkirche in 1952.

An organ was installed in the turmraum (tower room) of the Marktkirche in 1893, which included parts of an instrument of the 17th century. This organ was destroyed in World War II.

Today's main organ is at the back wall of the southern aisle. The first instrument in that location was built in 1953 and 1954 by the organ builders Emil Hammer Orgelbau () and Rudolf von Beckerath. It had 61 stops, four manuals and pedal. The prospekt (casing) was designed by Dieter Oesterlen and is a protected monument.


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