Polenz church
When you enter the church in Polenz, the large Romanesque baptismal font in the tower hall catches the eye. It is made of Rochlitz porphyry and features a round arch frieze. The baptismal font is a clear indication that there was already a church in Polenz in the 12th century. It probably also stood here, on the highest point of the village.
The current church building was erected between 1722 and 1725. At the time, the tower was 36 meters high and a landmark in the flat Leipzig countryside. In the 19th century, the church was redesigned several times.
The church experienced an eventful history during the GDR era. The badly damaged spire and lantern had to be demolished in 1970. In addition to a lack of building capacity, this was probably also due to efforts to prevent the nearby Soviet military airbase in Waldpolenz from being viewed. In the 1970s, the roof and exterior plaster were renewed with a great deal of personal effort, partly in the "after-work activity" that was common at the time. The spire was raised 5 meters and fitted with a simple tent roof.
It was not possible at the time to renovate the organ, which was built in 1878 by master organ builder Conrad Schmeißer from Eilenburg. The entire organ was threatened by water damage and had to be removed from storage. Reconstruction seemed almost impossible. However, thanks to the courageous and dedicated efforts of many residents, the organ was saved and restored in 2016 by the organ building company Peiter and has been resounding again ever since.
The interior of the church was renovated in the 1980s. At that time, the pulpit altar also came to Polenz. It came from the church in Pulgar (near Rötha), which had to make way for open-cast lignite mining. A heated winter church was set up under the organ loft. The roof was replaced in 2011. The tower and belfry had previously been renovated. In 2024, the chancel was renovated and redesigned. The pulpit altar, which was considered too large, was removed and the original bright appearance of the chancel with the figures of John and Paul between the windows was restored.
The current church building was erected between 1722 and 1725. At the time, the tower was 36 meters high and a landmark in the flat Leipzig countryside. In the 19th century, the church was redesigned several times.
The church experienced an eventful history during the GDR era. The badly damaged spire and lantern had to be demolished in 1970. In addition to a lack of building capacity, this was probably also due to efforts to prevent the nearby Soviet military airbase in Waldpolenz from being viewed. In the 1970s, the roof and exterior plaster were renewed with a great deal of personal effort, partly in the "after-work activity" that was common at the time. The spire was raised 5 meters and fitted with a simple tent roof.
It was not possible at the time to renovate the organ, which was built in 1878 by master organ builder Conrad Schmeißer from Eilenburg. The entire organ was threatened by water damage and had to be removed from storage. Reconstruction seemed almost impossible. However, thanks to the courageous and dedicated efforts of many residents, the organ was saved and restored in 2016 by the organ building company Peiter and has been resounding again ever since.
The interior of the church was renovated in the 1980s. At that time, the pulpit altar also came to Polenz. It came from the church in Pulgar (near Rötha), which had to make way for open-cast lignite mining. A heated winter church was set up under the organ loft. The roof was replaced in 2011. The tower and belfry had previously been renovated. In 2024, the chancel was renovated and redesigned. The pulpit altar, which was considered too large, was removed and the original bright appearance of the chancel with the figures of John and Paul between the windows was restored.
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Author
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
Grimmaischen Steinweg 8
04103 Leipzig
Organization
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
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