Welcome to our Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross)

We warmly welcome you to the Kreuzkirche and invite you to discover this special place of silence, prayer and history.

Before you lies the spacious nave of a Baroque citizens’ church. After the Thirty Years’ War, Suhl grew rapidly. The former town church – the predecessor of today’s main church St. Mary’s – no longer offered enough space for the growing congregation. Therefore, the citizens of Suhl built the Kreuzkirche between 1731 and 1739.

The church was solemnly dedicated on 20 September 1739. At that time, it stood on the edge of the town between the gates leading to Schleusingen and Meiningen. Since the entrance was intended to face the town, the church has its unusual westward orientation.

The striking tower bears the coats of arms of Saxony, Poland and the Counts of Henneberg. Above the portal, an inscription recalls the civic pride of the builders:

“To the honour of God, this house of worship was built for the citizens and their descendants by the Council and people of Suhl in the year 1733.”

The bright interior with its three levels of galleries is entirely oriented towards the altar, pulpit and organ. Word and Sacrament form the centre of worship; above them rises the organ as a symbol of praise to God.

The stucco ceiling is decorated with shell ornaments and a symbolic clock. Its hands remind us:

“You still have time to change your life.”

The pulpit altar is framed by allegorical figures representing faith and love. Above the pulpit are the Hebrew name of God, JHWH, and the triangle as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by a radiant halo.

The magnificent organ case forms the conclusion of the church interior. The organ, with around 2,200 pipes, was built between 1738 and 1740 by Eilert Köhler. It uniquely combines North German and Thuringian organ-building traditions and is the only surviving work of this organ builder. After its restoration between 1999 and 2007, it can once again be heard in its original richness of sound.

The baptismal font, Easter candlestick and hymn boards were created by the Suhl artist Edmund Hopf. Behind the altar is the winter chapel, featuring a Baroque lectern angel and a small Ladegast organ.

The three bells were cast in 1763 by the Ulrich brothers in Apolda. To this day, they call people to worship and prayer.

Our Kreuzkirche is a living place of faith and encounter. Services are held here every other Sunday at 9:30 a.m., alternating with the main church St. Mary’s. During the summer months, the Suhl Organ Summer and the concert series “Organ at Twelve” invite visitors to special musical experiences.

We wish you a blessed stay and moments of silence, reflection and peace.

The Church Council of the Evangelical Parish of Suhl