The village of Möhra - ancestral home of the Luther family

1483	Luther's father Hans, together with his young wife Margaret he (nee Lindemann left Möhra to seek work in the copper mines of Mansfeld ( Harz Mountains). They left behind numerous relatives. The Luther's rank among the oldest of Möhra's families, traceable back to the 14th century. Families bearing the name Luther still live in and around Möhra, principally the descendants of Martin Luther's uncle who remained in Möhra as heir to the family property.
1521	Luther's ties to Möhra are evidenced by a letter which he wrote to the Electorate as intervenor on behalf of his Uncle Heinz, and (more significantly) that as a man of "high position" he arranged to visit Möhra (his grandmother and uncles) on May 3rd, 1521, while returning from the Reichstag (Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire) in Worms. Prior to the Reformation a small chapel stood on this hill. The entire chapel approximated only the altar area of the present structure. Due to a lack of space in the chapel, history records that on May 4th, 1521, Luther preached to the people of Möhra outside on the village square. All that remains of the original chapel is a portion of the altar- a stone tablet decorated with five holy crosses.
1560	Around this date the structure was expanded. The windows of the altar room, archway, baptismal font, pulpit and the fragment of a niche behind the pulpit all date from this period.
1615	The churchyard gate with Saxon armorial bearings (crest) was erected.
1684	Pastor Daniel Cäsar was laid to rest under the altar. His tombstone was later set into the wall behind the pulpit.
1705	Reusing the original stones, a new nave was built, with a pretty portal on the south side. At this time, additional pipes were attached to the organ. Made of wood, they were cleverly gilded with silver-leaf to simulate metal.
1724	The choir gallery panels were decorated (painted).
1794	The vaulted wooden ceiling was painted in the tromp l'oeil fashion, creating a fanciful illusion of windows and an elliptical (oval) tower staircase.
1883	The 400 Year Luther Jubilee was observed. A Luther library was acquired, and three bronze church bells, using state and church funds. During the two World Wars government regulation necessitated the surrender and melting down of the two smaller bells.
1907	Extensive interior renovation. The decorated ceiling was plastered over, and the pews rearranged to form a central block. The interior was decorated in the dark style of the day, particularly a large painted scene over the archway. Descendants of Luther donated the stained glass windows which portray Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, the Apostle Peter (with key) and the Evangelist John (with book and pen).
1945	The west side of the church (including the organ) was severely damaged by US artillery fire.
1961	Parish donations enable the purchase of two new church bells.
1968	Major project begun to restore church interior using authenticated colours. Overpainting on the organ screen was removed, as well as the 1907 plaster from the vaulted ceiling. The original tromp l'oeil decoration was repainted.
1983	The 500 Year Luther Jubilee was observed. The Böhm family of Gotha built a new (15 register) organ into the old baroque housing.

The Luther Monument

1847	The monument on Luther Square is the result of a project initiated by Ludwig Bechstein, a known author on German legends and fairytales. At the time he was Privy Councillor at the Ducal Court of Saxony- Meiningen. Financing was accomplished via a nation-wide collection, primarily by church congregations. In addition, European sovereigns such as the Queen of England, the King of Sweden and the Prussian Kaiser made donations. The casting was completed in 1847 at the Nuremberg workshop of Daniel Burgschmied.
1848	Revolutionary turmoil causes a delay in dedication ceremony.
1861	The dedication ceremony finally took place on June 25th, attended by clerical dignitaries and Lutherans from all over Germany. The relief panels of the pedestal depict important events from the life of Luther, such as the nailing of the theses, capture, and Luther at Wartburg Castle. The four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John form the pedestal corners. The bible in Luther's hand is opened at John 8:31,32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The Luther Family home

1330	Arrival of the Luther family in Möhra
1618	The Luther house (as it stands today) was built by Georg Luther, a descendant of Martin Luther's uncle Hans, on the side of a previous Luther dwelling
1656	The Luther house was sold to the Ihling family, whose descendants still occupy it.
1889	Records show that the second house which the Luther family occupied from 1656 to 1811 was demolished on this date. The desk which is displayed in the Luther Room at the Wartburg Castle originates from this demolished structure.
1982	Major restoration of the Luther house in preparation for the 500 Year Luther Jubilee in 1983 The preparation of this notable village church is achieved by donations from our approx. 550 parishioners and our many visitors.