Worms has been inhabited since the time of the Celts in the stone age. The city was under the control of the Germanic tribes when they were incorporated into the Roman Empire. The Roman forum stood at the present site of the Dom of St. Peter. After the fall of the Roman Empire the city was ruled by various Germanic tribes. Under the Franks the city became Christian and Worms became a center of the Holy Roman Empire. It was the seat of both the Emperor and the Bishop.

In 1521 Martin Luther was was condemned by the Edict of Worms decreed by the Emperor Charles V.

The Emperor abandoned Worms when plague ravaged the city in the sixteenth century. The city walls were destroyed during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). In the War of the League of Augsburg (1688-1697) Louis XIV again destroyed the city. Still further horrors occurred under the Napoleonic occupation when over 20 churches were sold, and the Bishops residence, the cathedral and other churches were used as stables and hay barns.

WORMS

WORMS, a city of tho grand duchy of Hesse, Germany, on the left bank of the Rhine, 26 m. S. S. E. "of Mentz; pop. in 1871, 14,484, comprising about 9,000 Protestants, 4,000 Catholics, and 1,000 Jews. The streets are exceedingly crooked. Worms has a Byzantine cathedral with four towers, begun in the 8th century and completed in the 12th. Prominent among the other churches is the Gothic Liebfrauenkirche, which gives name to the famous Liebfrauenmilch wine, produced in its vicinity. The synagogue dates from the 11th century. Worms has much trade, and manufactories of polished leather, cigars, and other articles. - It is one of the oldest of German cities, and was the scene of the Xilidungenlied, which begins by telling how King Gunther in Worms reigned over the Burgnndians. (See Nibelinoeni.ied.) The Romans had a station here. Attila destroyed the city, and Clovis rebuilt it. Charlemagne and his successors occasionally resided here. Under the German empire it was successively ruled by local counts and by the dukes of Franconia. It subsequently became a free imperial city, and many diets of the empire were held here. In 1495, under Maximilian, the "eternal peace" was her decreed. Here also took place Luther's memorable declaration before Charles V and his first diet, April 18, 1852. Under the Hohenstaufen the population reached 60,000, and at the close of the thirty years' war it still numbered 30,000. In 1689 it was burned by the French. An offensive treaty (Wormier Traktaf) was concluded here Sept. 17, 1743, between England, Maria Theresa as queen of Hungary, and Sardinia. The city suffered much in the early period of the wars of the French revolution. The ancient see of Worms (pop. 20,000) was by the treaty of Luneville (1801) mostly given to France, and one fourth of it on the right bank of the Rhine to Hesse-Darmstadt, the whole reverting in 1814 to the latter country. The colossal monument of Luther, with the figures of the principal reformers and of the cities of Spire, Magdebnrg, and Augsburg, was, after Rictschel's death in 1861, completed by Donndorf and Kietz, and unveiled June 25, 1868.

The American Cyclopaedia Vol 16, 1876, Google Book, University of California

Peter Goehle was born in 1852 in Hernsheim, Hessen-Darmstadt, a town just outside the city of Worms. See Peter Goehle

Peter Goehle's g g g grandmother, Anne Amelia Kieser born circa 1691 the daughter of Bernard Kieser was most likely born in Worms. She married Johann Christopher Wallreuther in Worms in 1710. See Kieser

Johann Christopher Wallreuther's half brother, Johann Anton Wallreuther, was the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Worms from 1731 until his death in 1734. An Auxiliary Bishop is an addition bishop assigned to a see when the actual bishop for one reason or another is unable to preform all of his required functions. In this case, the bishop was also a prince who spent time at court. See Johann Anton Wallreuther at Wallreuther

Several members of the Wallreuther family were Roman Catholic priests in Worms. See Wallreuther

The Roman Catholic Churches of Worms

1. Dom (cathedral), St Peter, seat of the Prince-Bishop of Worms

2. Johanneskirche

3. Martinskirche, St Martin of Tours

4. Pauluskirche

5. Liebfrauenkirche

   Liebfrauenkirche is a Roman Catholic Gothic church set among vineyards on the outskirts of Worms.

   See Liebfrauenkirche

   Johann Anton Wallreuther auxiliary bishop of Worms 1731 to 1734 is buried in the Liebfrauenkirche. See Wallreuther and Johann Anton Wallreuther

1. Andreaskirche

   An old church building that became Lutheran after the Protestant Reformation. It was damaged in 1689. In 1802 it was secularized. Among other things it was used for storage. In 1928 it became the Museum of the City of Worms.

2. Dreifaltigkeitskirche

3. Friedrichskirche

   Named for the Prussian ruler Friedrich the Great the church has been in existence since 1744. It was heavily damaged in WWII.

4. Magnuskirche

   "Originally a small Carolingian church built in the 8th and 9th centuries, the Church of St. Magnus has since been rebuilt and expanded. It was the first church in this region to convert to Protestantism.

   Sacred Destinations

5. Lutherkirche

   Constructed in 1910.

1. Dom, 2. Johanneskirche (no longer standing), 3. Heyl Musuem, 4. Andreaskirche, 5. Driefaltigkeirskerche, 6. Friedrichskirche, 7. Magnuskirche, 8. Martinskirche, 9. Pauluskirche, 9. too. Liebfrauenkirche, 12. Synagog

Worms - an 1850 engraving after a drawing by the English artist, Myles Birket Foster (1825-1899)

The Dom (or Cathedral) of St Peter was the seat of the Prince-Bishop of Worms. This Romanesque church was originally consecrated in 1110. The church was extensively renovated in 1171-1192. Additions were made in the 13th century. In this church at the Imperial Diet in 1521 Martin Luther was ordered to recant his heretical theses. The Emperor Charles V presided over the assembly and as a result the Edict of Worms was degreed.

"For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend, sustain, or favor the said Martin Luther. On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have captured him inform us, whereupon we will order the appropriate manner of proceeding against the said Luther. Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work."

The Dom was also the site of papal election of 1048 and the Concordat of Worms in 1122.

Worms Cathedral (Dom) is one of the outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in Germany. Much of the building dates to the 11th and 12th centuries with some parts dating to the 10th century. There are some later Gothic addidtions.

See St Peter's Cathedral (Worms Cathedral)

Not posted

Not posted

The west choir of the Dom.

Not posted

Johanneskirche (St John the Baptist) was the parish church of the cathedral. It was located to the west of the facade of the Dom. The building was of great antiquity, perhaps even originating in pagan times. Das Baptisterium (S. Johanniskirche) zu Worms was a three storied octagon. It was demolished in the early 1800s.

Johann Anton Wallreuther (born 1673 in Kiedrich the son of Johann Matthias Wallreuther) was a priest and later Auxiliary bishop of Worms. From 1705 until 1714 J. Anton Wallreuther kept the baptismal, marriage and death records that are listed by LDS as being from Johanneskirche. He signed each record J A Wallreuther.

Anno 1705 Ego Joes Antonius Wallreuther --: Theologia _ientiutus caonicus ad -- M--nian virg-men [several words I cannot read] Bapth(page turned) administrandam [several more words I cannot read].

From 1716 there are BMDs relating to Bernard Kieser (born c 1688) the son of Bernard Kieser and the brother of Anna Amelia Kieser who married Johann Christopher Wallreuther (born 1686) and the half brother of the bishop J. Anton Wallreuther.

The records for Johanneskirche from 1692 to 1798 are on LDS microfilm 0996677 Items 2 and 3.

Das Baptisterium (S. Johanniskirche) zu Worms was a three storied octagon.

To see a computer generated model of the Dom and the Baptistry of St John (Johanniskirche) go to Architectura Virtualis Dom Zu Worms

See Wallreuther

Johanneskirche with the Dom in the background.

Johanneskirche

A. Dom, B. Johanneskirche, C. Domkreuzgang und Kapitelhaus (Dom cloister and chapter house)

Beyond the busy market-place looms the Cathedral of Worms, the ancient town where Luther made the vigorous defense of his doctrines

With the Dom in the background. Dated 1919.

With the Dom in the background. Dated 1919.

Posted 1903

The church is the Drifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity)

The church of the Trinity:

Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), Worms

"Following the devastating fire in Worms in 1689, the Lutheran town built the Baroque Trinity Church on the site of the old town hall, which was destroyed in the fire.

The foundation stone was laid in 1709 and the church was consecrated in 1725.

Following severe damage done to the church during World War II, the interior was reconstructed until 1959 using modern styles.

Trinity Church is the largest Baroque church of the town and from an historical aspect, the main church for evangelical Christians in Worms."

Sacred Destinations

Worms Dreifaltigkeitskirche u Cornelianum (Trinity)

Heyl's Hof, Worms

The Heylshof museum contains a collection of sculptures, porcelain and glass. Heylshof

St Martin's Church is one of the oldest churches in Worms. This Romanesque church dedicated to St Martin of Tours was a gift of the the Emperor Otto III at the end of the 10th century. The church was rebuilt in the early 13th century. Largely destroyed in a fire in 1689 the church was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The church was badly damaged during WWII bombing raids.

Peter Fredrich Wallreuther (1712-1794) was the canon and dean of St Martin from 1776 until his death in 1794. He was buried there. See Peter Fredrich Wallreuther and Wallreuther

While a Roman Officer under the Emperor Julian Apostata, St. Martin of Tours was imprisoned in Worms because as a Christian he no longer wanted to fight against the Germanic tribes. St. Martin's church was built on the site of the prison.

Joachim Specht suggests Feast of St Martin (Martinmas) and Martinsstift (Worms) for more information on St. Martin and his church in Worms.

Worms

Ludwigplatz

Posted 1905

Martinskirche, the church of St. Martin of Tours.

Peter Fredrich Wallreuther (1712-1794) is buried in this church.

Wandgrab des Priesters Wallreuther von 1786 in der Vorhalle. Ein vor einem Obelisken ruhendes schlafendes Kind hält das Wappen, welches durch ein goldenes mit schwarzen Sternen versehenes Band in zwei Felder geteilt wird und auf dem oberen einen Vogel in blau, auf dem unteren drei Rosen (Tinktur?) zeigt. Unter dem Wappen die Grabschrift.

The wall tomb of the priest Wallreuther from 1786 is in the lobby. In front of an obilisk a sleeping child hold the coat of arms which is divided by a gold band marked with black stars in two fields and on top in a field of blue a bird, on the bottom three roses. Under the emblem is the grave inscription.

Kunstdenkmäler im Grossherzogthum Hessen: Inventarisirung und beschreibende ... 1877, Boogle Book, Harvard University collection.

Worms Martinskirche [Church of St. Martin]

The history of St Paul's church is quite similar to that of St. Martin. Founded in 1002 it was rebuilt in the 13th century in the Romanesque style. North of the church there was a Gothic cloister. The church was destroyed in he Palatine war of Succession in 1689. It was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In 1797 the monastery was abolished by the French. The church served as a warehouse and later as a museum. It too was badly damaged in WWII. It is now the church of the Dominican monastery of Worms.

Philipp Franz Ignacio Wallreuther (1751-1811) was a canon at St. Paul's in Worms.

See Dominikaner an St. Paulus and Wallreuther

Worms - Eglise S. Paul de Worms bâtie en 1016 [Church of St. Paul in Worms built in 1016]

Worms Pauluskirche

Worms Pauluskirche

Worms Pauluskirche

Worms St Paulus Kirch [Church of St. Paul]. Philip Franz Ignacio Wallreuther born 1751 and graduated Heidelberg 1769 was cantor of this church.

Worms St Paulus Kirch [Church of St. Paul]. Choir and cloister.

Worms St Paulus Kirch [Church of St. Paul].

Worms St Paulus Kirch [Church of St. Paul].

Worms Pauluskirche [Church of St. Paul]

Church of St. Paul, Worms

Not posted

St Andrew's Church cloister which dates to the 13th century is now part of the Museum der Stadt Worms.

Liebfrauenkirche — 14th and 15th century late Gothic church.

The vineyards surrounding the church are the original home of the famous white wine, Liebfrauenmilch [Beloved Lady's Milk]

Liebfrauenkirche

Johann Anton Wallreuther (1672-1734) Auxiliary Bishop of Worms 1731-24 is buried in the Liebfraukirche. He was canon at Liebfruenkirche from about 1705 to 1711. He was originally buried in the Church of St. John but when that church was demolished in 1812 his tomb was moved to Liebfrauenkirche. Information from Joachim Specht, 2011.

Liebfrauenkirche Westportal

Liebfrauenkirche Südportal

The Lutherkirche was constructed 1910-1912.

IEN FESTE BURG IST UNSER GOTT ("A Mighty Fortress is our God" is a hymn written by Martin Luther)

The Ancient Walls of Worms date to medieval times.

When Worms was at the height of its power and prestige in the fifteenth century the city walls, pierced by 12 gates, surrounded five castles, 30 palaces, 12 monasteries, five abbeys and 50 churches, as well as the residence of the Emperor and the Bishop, and the great romanesque cathedral.

The Rhineland By Walter Marsden, 1973

The Raschitor was the entrance to the Jewish area of Worms.

Worms Am Rhein Alte Stadtmauer und Lutherpfortchen [ancient city wall with Lutherpförtchen]

Lutherpförtchen

A train line between Mainz and Worms opened in the summer of 1853.The following images are of the third station in Worms which was opened in 1904. The station was badly damaged during WWII.

Worms

Bahnhof - Portal des Wartesaales

[Railway station - doors of the waiting room]

1905

Worms A. Rhein Hauptbahnhof

Worms A. Rhein Bahnhof, 1917

Worms A. Rhein Kammererstraße, 1919

Festspielhaus, Worms a. Rh.

Festival Hall Theater, built 1888-89.

See CARTHALIA - Worms: Spiel- und Festhaus (old)

This monument to Luther was built in 1868.

Lutherplatz 1919

Worms Hafen [Harbor]

Worms

The bridge over the Rhine

Another postcard with a very similar view labels this "Ernst Ludwigbrucke". The first permanent bridge across the Rhine near at worms was build in 1900. It was called the Ernst Ludwig bride and was destroyed during WWII.

The Nebelungen bridge was built between 1951 and 1953.

Worms is located in the Rhineland Palatinate of the Rhine River.

Illustrated London News January 20, 1883 - INUNDATIONS OF THE RHINE IN HESSE-DARMSTADT

1. The main street of Dornberg, 2. Taking provisions to flooded villages 3. Flooded fields of Gross Ge an, 4. Saving cattle from the flood

Illustrated London News January 20, 1883 - INUNDATIONS OF THE RHINE IN HESSE-DARMSTADT

5. Clemens Chapel on the Rhine, 6. Moving furniture at Wallerstadten, 7. Distributing drinking waster and provisions among the poor of Dornberg, 8. Waiting the arrival of fugitives from the flooded villages.

The Rhine between Basil and Bingen often flooded: Extreme floods occurred 1758, 1784, 1813, 1876 and 1882/1883).

Floods On The Continent - The Rhine Valley, so familiar to English tourists, has been desolated by floods. In November there was much damage done by the Rhine and its swollen effluents, but nothing in comparison to what was done at the close of the year. The uplands were thickly covered with snow, the fall of which was followed by some days of very mild weather and heavy rain, and the rivers which feed the Rhine rose not only inches but feet in an hour or two, and from the Lake of Constance to the Dutch frontier, miles upon miles of the country were under water. Embankments were washed away, and whole villages destroyed. Just below the town of Mannheim the valley was like a wild, turbulent sea, and over an immense area nothing was to be seen above the waste of waters, save here and there a tall tree top or the spire of a church. Along the course of the Danube it has been much the same, though perhaps not quite so bad as along the Rhine. Thousands of people in both valleys are houseless and destitute, having lost all they had, and suffered, in addition to this, the loss of many of their kinsfolk.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST MAGAZINE FOR THE YEAR OF OURL LORD 1883 VO. VI

At Worms the Hammel dyke on the Rhine burst and flooded the lower part of the town. 500 to 600 houses in Worms were said to have been destroyed by the flood of 1883. 10,000 people near Worms were said to have become homeless.

Peter Goehle from Herrnshiem, a village outside of Worms, had been in New York City ten years when his flood occurred. His father, Franz, was still alive in 1883.