ELISABETH CHURCH; BASEL, SWITZERLAND

ANOTHER CHURCH IN BASEL IS THE ELISABETH CHURCH.   BUILT BETWEEN 1857 - 1865 AS THE FIRST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF BASEL AFTER THE REFORMATION.  

IT WAS FUNDED MOSTLY BY LANDOWNER, CHRISTOPH MERIAN.  HE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHURCH WAS NOT TO BE A PLACE WHERE ONE WOULD BE "SAVED"  BUT A "MEMORIAL AGAINST THE EVIL SPIRIT OF THE TIME AND AGAINST THE DE-CHRISTIANIZATION OF SOCIETY".  THE PIPE ORGAN WAS BUILT IN PARIS BY MERKLIN IN 1862.  IT HAS 2800 PIPES.  AT NOON ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH A CONCERT IS HELD BY THE STUDENTS OF THE BASEL MUSIC ACADEMY.  

1968 BROUGHT CONTROVERSY TO THE CHURCH SURROUNDING POSSIBLE DEMOLITION TO MAKE ROOM FOR A PARKING GARAGE.  LUCKILY ANOTHER LOCATION WAS FOUND FOR THE GARAGE AND THE CHURCH WAS SAVED.  FROM 1970 IT WAS NOT USED ON A REGULAR BASIS AS A TRADITIONAL CHURCH EXCEPT FOR SPORADIC RELIGIOUS SERVICES.  A MAJOR RENOVATION BEGAN IN 1990 WHICH CLOSED THE CHURCH FOR 4 YEARS AFTER WHICH IT CHANGED FROM AN EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH TO AN ECUMENICAL ASSOCIATION OPEN ELISABETHEN CHURCH.  THEY REFER TO IT AS THE FIRST "CITY CHURCH" OF BASEL AND IT IS OPEN ALL WEEK FOR PERSONAL PRAYER AND QUIET REFLECTION;  IT IS USED FOR BANQUETS AND CONCERTS AS WELL.  

AFTER YOUR QUIET REFLECTION YOU CAN PICK UP AN ESPRESSO AND A LITTLE BITE TO EAT IN THE CAFE;  I GUESS PERSONAL PRAYER CAN HAPPEN IN MANY WAYS...AND FLAVORS.  

VIEW FROM THE BASEL MUNSTER CATHEDRAL TOWER

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