Divi-Blasii-Kirche
About This Site
The Divi-Blasii-Kirche, a three-aisled, cross-shaped Gothic hall church begun by the Teutonic Order around 1276, was where a young Johann Sebastian Bach served as organist for one year, 1707 to 1708 — and where the organ he designed still stands, rebuilt to his own specification.[1]
A Gothic hall church at the Untermarkt, from c. 1276
The Teutonic Order began building the church around 1276: a three-aisled, cross-shaped hall church standing at the Untermarkt in the middle of Mühlhausen, among the earliest Gothic churches of central Germany.[1]
Bach's year, and his organ, 1707–1709
Bach was organist here from 1707 to 1708. For the town council's inauguration in February 1708 he composed the cantata Gott ist mein König, and he drew up the specification for a rebuilt organ that was dedicated in 1709, after he had already moved on to Weimar. The instrument playing today is a 1959 rebuild by the organ builders Schuke, based on Bach's own disposition and overhauled again in 2008.[1]
Questions visitors ask
- How long was Bach organist at the Divi-Blasii-Kirche?
- One year: from 1707 to 1708, before he moved on to Weimar.[1]
- Is the organ Bach played still there?
- No. Today's organ is a 1959 rebuild by the organ builders Schuke, based on the specification Bach himself drew up; it was dedicated in 1709, after Bach had already left for Weimar, and overhauled again in 2008.[1]
- What did Bach write for Mühlhausen?
- The cantata Gott ist mein König, composed for the town council's inauguration in February 1708.[1]
- When was the Divi-Blasii-Kirche built?
- The Teutonic Order began building it around 1276: a three-aisled, cross-shaped Gothic hall church at the Untermarkt, among the earliest Gothic churches of central Germany.[1]
- Where did Bach go after Mühlhausen?
- Weimar. He had already moved there by the time the rebuilt organ he designed was dedicated, in 1709.[1]
Sources
- Divi-Blasii-Kirche — Wikipedia, retrieved 30 August 2026
Connected Historical Figures
composer • musician • organist
Bach was organist here from 1707 to 1708, composed the inauguration cantata Gott ist mein König for the town council in February 1708, and designed the organ's specification.
Visit Information
Untermarkt, 99974 Mühlhausen
In Weimar's history
Around Weimar
67 km Northwest
The church where the young Bach held his one organist's post here, before Weimar.