Evangelische Kaufmannsgemeinde Erfurt (Erfurt Evangelical Merchants' Community)

The Evangelische Kaufmannsgemeinde Erfurt (Erfurt Evangelical Merchants' Community) is the central church of the Erfurt Protestant church district. However, it is also one of the town's oldest parish churches, and as such, it is listed as a cultural monument of national importance. Founded by merchants in the 11th century, its earliest documented mention dates back to 1245. Significant events such as the great reformer Martin Luther's sermon held on 22 October 1522 and the marriage ceremony of famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach's parents in 1668 took place in this church. Due to its location in the middle of Erfurt's historical city centre, the Evangelische Kaufmannskirche at the Anger attracts many visitors, both locals and tourists.

In order to be able to host church, cultural, or social events again in the historically relevant building, comprehensive reconstruction and repair work, as well as complex substance preservation and renovation measures throughout the church's interior and exterior, needed to be conducted. That included a new natural stone floor, new galleries, sanitary facilities, tower rooms, and stairs for the Evangelische Kaufmannsgemeinde. Furthermore, new connections for heating, water, and sewage were laid. As a result of removing the raised bed from the south side, the "Anger" urban space now reaches up to the building and creates the image of a town church. The relocation of the main entrance to the south side further reinforces this impression.