Major Donation to Speed Up Restoration of St. Mary's Westwork
Lübeck's St. Mary's Church Secures €430K for Critical Restoration Work
Funding for the restoration of St. Mary's Church in Lübeck has received a significant boost: a woman has donated nearly €430,000 to support the project. According to the Lutheran Inner City Parish Association of Lübeck, the funds will help advance the upcoming interior restoration of the historic church, adding another major contribution to the planning and execution of the work.
The donation was initially received by the German Foundation for Monument Protection. Johannes Schindler, the foundation's local curator for Lübeck, then symbolically presented the sum to St. Mary's pastor Robert Pfeifer. The church expressed great joy over the generous gift, emphasizing how such private support underscores the project's importance.
Pfeifer noted that the congregation faces a monumental task: the comprehensive restoration of the church's structural shell. The entire project is estimated to cost around €28 million—a sum that can only be raised in stages. Large individual donations play a crucial role in financing specific phases and securing further work.
The latest contribution will specifically accelerate the interior restoration of the church's westwork, focusing on its windows, masonry, and murals. These elements will be stabilized, reinforced, and restored to preserve the space for the long term. The goal is to safeguard existing structures and maintain the westwork's distinctive architectural and artistic features.
This donation represents another vital financial building block for St. Mary's restoration plans. For the congregation, it provides greater flexibility as they prepare for the extensive overhaul. Those wishing to support the project are encouraged to reach out to the relevant contacts at St. Mary's, as suggested in the announcement.
