History of the Schlosskirche
The Schlosskirche you can see today was built as a court chapel for the electors in 1779 after a fire in 1777. The elector at the time was Max Friedrich. The construction contract was given to Johann Heinrich Roth. In 1794 the French occupied Bonn. The electoral Max Friedrich fled. Under French occupation, no Christian service was held in the Schlosskirche.
Early years
After the Congress of Vienna (1814-15), the Rhineland fell to Prussia. The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. gave the Schlosskirche to the Protestant congregation in Bonn in the framework of a union between Reformists and Lutheranians. The pulpit was designed by Schinkel (Berlin).
After the founding of the University of Bonn in 1818, the university used the Schlosskirche for services, alternating with the services of the Protestant congregation. Additionally, seminar-services were held there by the Faculty of Protestant Theology.The Faculty of Catholic Theology was permitted to use on of the Catholic churches in Bonn. In 1870, the Protestant congregation built the Bonner Kreuzkirche.
Today
Today, protestant university-services are held in the Schlosskirche on every Sunday in the semester. The church is also being used for many concerts, and is popular for weddings and baptisms. Additionally, public lectures are given there. The university preacher is responsible for approving the events.
Since May 6th 2012, the Schlosskirche can boast with a new organ, designed and built by the Bonner Orgelhaus Klais. And in this organ, a little surprise can be found: One register is a glockenspiel. The reason for that is this: Before the fire in 1777, a glockenspiel could be found over the castle entrance, and it was played regularly. Now, that can be done with the new organ.
In the meantime
Learn about what happened in the Schlosskirche between the early years and today.
Up to World War II
The first important protestant preacher was Prof. Dr. Carl Immanuel Nitzsch (1822-1847). In his early years, Prof. Dr. Karl Barth preached here as well.
Ludwig van Beethoven took organ classes from his teacher, the court organist Neefe, in the Schlosskirche.
During a bombing on October 10th 1944, the Schlosskirche was destroyed. Only the enclosing walls remained.
Reconstruction and Renovation
On July 2nd 1957, the church was reconsecrated. It is now adorned by restored stuccos, which were once designed by Giuseppe Brillie.
After the reconstruction, the central aisle was dropped. By using slightly rounded benches, the uniform character of the room was strengthened. The vaulted ceiling was not painted. It has four curved ends.
The church was renovated in 1981. From an architectonical standpoint, the church shows characteristics of the transition from style of rococo to Louis XVI.
The new Klais-Organ
Since 2012, a new organ made by the famous Bonner organ-builder Klais is standing in the Schlosskirche.
This organ was payed for with a large donation, the donor of which wishes to remain anonymous. Additionally, the Bonner Universitätsgesellschaft made considerable donation.