St Aurelia's Church
St Aurelia's is a Lutheran Protestant church on Rue Martin-Bucer in the Gare district. Described by tradition as one of the oldest sanctuaries in the city, it charms with its 18th-century nave and white-and-gold Baroque decor. It is also where Martin Bucer began preaching in 1524.
A sanctuary with distant origins
According to medieval historiography, St Aurelia's is one of Strasbourg's oldest sanctuaries, and the chronicler Koenigshoven links it to the saint of that name. Its founding date nonetheless remains uncertain. The church is first mentioned in 801, then dedicated to Saint Maurice; the name of Saint Aurelia only appears in 1324. Of that long past, the three lower Romanesque levels of the tower, dated to the 12th century, survive.
Where Bucer began to preach
The parish joined the Reformation in 1523, and the following year, in 1524, Martin Bucer was elected its preacher. He went on to become one of the leading figures of the Strasbourg Reformation, so much so that the church's street now bears his name. St Aurelia's has remained a Lutheran church ever since, part of the Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine.
An 18th-century nave in white and gold
The nave was entirely rebuilt in the 18th century: the foundation stone was laid in July 1763 and the church consecrated in May 1765. While a few Romanesque and Gothic features remain, it is the white-and-gold Baroque interior that strikes you on entering, with a 17th-century altar and pulpit. These qualities earned the church its classification as a historic monument on 5 May 1988.
The restored Silbermann organ
St Aurelia's keeps an organ by Andreas Silbermann, the renowned Strasbourg organ builder of the early 18th century; both its case and instrument are protected. Between 2002 and 2015 the church and organ underwent major restoration. A concert or service remains the best chance to hear it. The church is a few minutes' walk from the Petite France, so it is easy to add to a stroll through the western side of the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Where is St Aurelia's Church?
On Rue Martin-Bucer in the Gare district, a few minutes' walk from the Petite France.
Why is it notable?
For its very ancient origins, Martin Bucer's first preaching here in 1524, its white-and-gold Baroque interior and its Silbermann organ. It has been a classified historic monument since 1988.
Can you go inside?
It is a working parish, so access depends on services and concerts. Check on site or with the parish.
What can you combine it with?
With a walk through the nearby Petite France, then the Church of St John the Baptist on Quai Saint-Jean.
Wikimedia Commons — Ji-Elle · Wikimedia Commons — Anne-Françoise Auberger
