Saint Paulin Church, Trier

Saint Paulin Church in Trier is a Baroque masterpiece built between 1734 and 1753, nestled in Germany’s oldest city with a rich Roman legacy. This church, designed by prominent architect Johann Balthasar Neumann, boasts an interior adorned with Rococo details, elegant stucco work, and intricate altars. It stands on a site historically significant to Trier, where three previous churches have existed since the 4th century, initially dedicated to the Theban Legion, an early Christian martyr group. Eventually, the church was rededicated to Paulinus of Trier, a 4th-century bishop known for his anti-Arian stance, who was exiled to Phrygia before his remains returned to Trier in 395. His tomb now lies in the crypt, a solemn space where twelve relics of the Theban Legion soldiers also rest.

After a fire destroyed the earlier medieval church in 1039, a new structure was built and consecrated in 1148 by Pope Eugene III, though this church too was eventually destroyed by French forces in 1674. The current Baroque structure, largely credited to Neumann and completed in the mid-18th century, features a 53-meter-high tower and is renowned for its stunning ceiling fresco by Christoph Thomas Scheffler. This fresco vividly portrays scenes from the life of Saint Paulinus and the martyrdom of the Theban Legion.

The church’s historical organ, crafted by Romanus Benedict Nollet, was later electrified and restored by Klais Orgelbau, maintaining its historic charm. The church also houses four rare bells from the 1820s, crafted by the Perrin brothers, which have survived two world wars and are considered valuable relics.

Saint Paulin continues to serve as an active place of worship, hosting public viewings and organ concerts. Each October, it honors the Theban Legion martyrs by opening the crypt to visitors. The grounds also include a cemetery and a chapel built in 1989 near the grave of Blessed Blandine Merten, adding to its serene and historical atmosphere.