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{{Short description|Former Catholic Church in Utrecht}}
[[File:Sint-Salvatorkerk Utrecht Monumenta Van Buchel blz60.jpg|thumb|right|Sint-Salvatorkerk, drawing made around 1615 by [[Aernout van Buchel]]]]
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The '''Sint-Salvator church''' (also called the Old-Münster church) was one of the five [[Chapter (religion)|collegiate chapters]] in the Dutch city of [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]]. The others were the [[Dom Church]], the [[Pieterskerk, Utrecht|St. Peter's Church]], the [[St. John's church]] and the [[St. Mary's church]]. The St. Salvator church was situated on the present-day Dom square right next to the Dom Church. The St. Salvator church was demolished following the [[Reformation]], as a result of the outlawing of Catholicism in the [[Dutch Republic]] in 1587.
The '''Sint-Salvator church''' (also called the Old-Munster church) was one of five [[Catholic Church]] [[collegiate church]]es in [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]], Netherlands, before the [[Protestant Reformation]]. The others were [[St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht|St. Martin's Cathedral]] (the present-day Dom Church), [[Pieterskerk, Utrecht|St. Peter's Church]], {{Interlanguage link multi|St. John's church|nl|3=Janskerk (Utrecht)}} and [[St. Mary's Church, Utrecht|St. Mary's church]]. The church building was situated on the present-day {{Interlanguage link multi|Domplein|nl}} and was demolished during the Protestant Reformation, after the 1587 outlawing of Catholicism in the [[Dutch Republic]].


==The first St. Salvator church==
==The first St. Salvator church==
The first St. Salvator church was established possibly around 695, its presence was definitely established by 724. It was established by [[Willibrord]], after he had received his mission from pope [[Sergius I]]. The [[patron saint]] of the church, Salvator, is a possible reference to the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]], the ecclesiastical seat of the Pope and the [[mother church]] of the [[Catholic Church]], as this church was at first also dedicated to St. Salvator. The name Salvator means ''savior'' and is a direct reference to [[Jesus|Jesus the Savior]].
The exact history of first church building is not known but it was possibly built {{Circa|695}} and its presence was definitely established by 724. It was established by [[Willibrord]], after he had received his mission from [[Pope Sergius I]]. The [[patron saint]] of the church, Salvator, is a possible reference to the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]], the ecclesiastical seat of the Pope and the [[mother church]] of the [[Catholic Church]], as this church was at first also dedicated to St. Salvator. The name Salvator means ''savior'' and is a direct reference to [[Jesus|Jesus the Savior]].


During the second world war, the location of the former church was subject to [[archaeological]] research. At the site of the former [[Crossing (architecture)|Crossing]], on the axis of the church, wall-restants and limestone [[tombs]] were found. From the positioning of the remnants it was concluded that the eastern annex of the church had been found. By studying the groundplan of the second church (which included a very broad and extremely short nave and a heavy tower), the dimensions of the connecting hall were deduced. The original St. Salvatorchurch was in design a large single-nave church from ca. 12 by 18 meter, with on the east side a built-on annex, that had a similar rectangular shape of about 9 by 12 meter.
During [[World War II]], the former church building location was subject to an [[archaeological excavation]]. At the site of the former [[Crossing (architecture)|crossing]], on the axis of the church, wall remnants and limestone [[sarcophagi]] were found. From the positioning of the remnants it was concluded that the eastern annex of the church had been found. By studying the groundplan of the second church which included a very broad and extremely short nave and a heavy tower, the dimensions of the connecting hall were deduced. The original church was a {{convert|12|x|18|m|ft}} rectangular single-nave building with an attached {{convert|9|x|12|m|ft}} rectangular annex on the east side. The excavation showed that the annex, which contained many tombs within its walls, may have been a grave chapel and possibly a [[Choir (architecture)|choir]].


The St. Salvator church was located southwest of a second small church building, known as the Holy-Cross chapel, which was likely the original St. Martin's church. That small church building was demolished in 1826. Until the 10th century, these two churches formed a double cathedral building but it is not clear whether both church functioned as a cathedral. The bishop's [[cathedra]] was installed, {{Circa|750}}, in St. Martin's church, the direct predecessor of the later Dom Church, which from then on was known as St. Martin's Cathedral.
The eastern annex possibly served as a [[Choir (architecture)|choir]], but from the large amount of tombs found within the walls of this part of the building, it was also used as a grave [[chapel]].

The St. Salvator church was located southwest of a second, small church, that was known from the 12th-century on as the Holy-Crosschapel, which was demolished in 1826. This chapel was most likely the original [[St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht|St. Martin's church]]. Until the 10th century, these two churches formed what is called a ''double cathedral''. Whether the churches did function as a cathedral is not fully clear. From around 750 the St. Martin's church became the primate church, and from then on was known as the [[St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht|St. Martin's Cathedral]], the direct predecessor of the later [[Dom Church]].


==Restoration and rebuilding in later times==
==Restoration and rebuilding in later times==
[[File:Plattegrond Domplein te Utrecht met Romeinse en middeleeuwse bouwwerken.jpg|thumb|Map of the cathedral square in Utrecht showing Roman and medieval construction. St. Salvator is labeled 3.]]


The St. Salvator church was restored and possibly expanded during the lengthy episcopate of bishop [[Balderic of Utrecht]] (918-976). What exactly was done is not clear. A new grave-room might have been added to the eastern side. Balderic most likely paid more attention to the construction of the new [[Dom Church]] to replace the old one. Under Balderic's third successor, [[Ansfried of Utrecht]] (995-1010), the St. Salvator church was largely rebuilt. The hall was cut into two. On the western half a [[westwork]] was erected after the example of the westwork at the [[Palatine Chapel in Aachen]]. The eastern half was transformed into a [[basilica|basilic]] layout by adding [[Aisle#Cathedral_architecture|aisles]]. The eastern annex choir was maintained. In this form the St. Salvator church may have acted as the bishopric's palatine church. Similar churches were also built elsewhere from around 1000. They served to represent the bishop and his court.
The church was restored and possibly expanded during the episcopate of bishop [[Balderic of Utrecht]] (918-976). What exactly was done is not clear. A new grave-room might have been added to the eastern side. Balderic most likely paid more attention to the construction of the St. Martin's Cathedral to replace the old one. Under Balderic's third successor, [[Ansfried of Utrecht]] (995-1010), the church was largely rebuilt. The hall was cut into two. On the western half a [[westwork]] was erected after the example of the westwork at the [[Palatine Chapel in Aachen]]. The eastern half was transformed into a basilic layout by adding [[Aisle#Cathedral architecture|aisles]]. The eastern annex choir was maintained. In this form, the church may have acted as the bishopric's palatine church.{{efn|Palatine churches and chapels belong to, imperial, royal, or private palaces and castles.<ref>{{New International Encyclopedia|inline=1|edition=2nd|year=1914|volume=5|title=Church|page=307|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8hwoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA307}}</ref>}} Similar churches were also built elsewhere from around 1000. They served to represent the bishop and his court.


Bishop [[Bernold]] made an end to the status of palatine church. The St. Salvator church was reformed into a [[Chapter (religion)|chapter]] church, and the [[St. Martin's Cathedral, Utrecht|St. Martin's church]] was upgraded to cathedral status, becoming the seat of the bishop of Utrecht. Bernold and his successor [[William I (Bishop of Utrecht)|William I]] adjusted the St. Salvator church to its new function, once more modifying and expanding it. The old eastern annex was taken down and replaced by a [[transept]], whereby the eastern side received a prestigious, very deep, three-sided closed choir. Below this choir was a spacious crypt, that was accessible through side-chapels at the sides of the choir. Its layout corresponded to the other churches Bernold had built. The only difference, the extremely deep choir, seemed to be a reference to the special status of the church as burial place for the first bishops of Utrecht, amongst them [[Saint Boniface]] (who had never been bishop of Utrecht but was considered as such in medieval times).
Bishop [[Bernold]] made an end to the status of palatine church. The St. Salvator church was reformed into a [[Chapter (religion)|chapter]] church, and the St. Martin's church was upgraded to cathedral status, becoming the seat of the bishop of Utrecht. Bernold and his successor [[William I (Bishop of Utrecht)|William I]] adjusted the St. Salvator church to its new function, once more modifying and expanding it. The old eastern annex was taken down and replaced by a [[transept]], whereby the eastern side received a prestigious, very deep, three-sided closed choir. Below this choir was a spacious crypt, that was accessible through side-chapels at the sides of the choir. Its layout corresponded to the other churches Bernold had built. The only difference, the extremely deep choir, seemed to be a reference to the special status of the church as burial place for the first bishops of Utrecht, amongst them [[Saint Boniface]] (who had never been bishop of Utrecht but was considered as such in medieval times).


The highaltar was at first dedicated to [[Christ the Savior]]. The altar at the northern side-chapel was dedicated to Mary, and the southern chapel to [[John the Baptist]]. Together these altars represented the crucifixion and salvation of Christ. The highalter was also dedicated to Boniface, who had died as a martyr in 754 at [[Dokkum]]. Below the highaltar, in the crypt, there was an altar dedicated to [[Saint Stephen]], considered the first [[Protomartyr|martyr]] of Christendom. In front of this altar laid the grave of the early bishop [[Frederick of Utrecht]], who had been murdered in the St. Salvator church in 835, according to legend because of his criticism of empress [[Judith of Bavaria]].
The main [[Altar (Catholicism)|altar]] was at first dedicated to [[Christ the Savior]]. The altar at the northern side-chapel was dedicated to Mary, and the southern side-chapel to [[John the Baptist]]. Together these altars represented the crucifixion and salvation of Christ. The main altar was also dedicated to Boniface, who had died as a martyr in 754 at [[Dokkum]]. Below the high altar, in the crypt, there was an altar dedicated to [[Saint Stephen]], the first Christian [[protomartyr]]. Bishop [[Frederick of Utrecht]], who was murdered in the church in 835, according to legend for his criticism of Empress [[Judith of Bavaria (died 843)|Judith of Bavaria]], was buried in front of this altar.


Around this time the St. Salvator church was given its own [[Chapter (religion)|chapter]] and immunity from civil law in favor of canon law. This immunity also extended to the houses of the [[Canon (priest)|canons]] and the Holy-Cross chapel, which, as stated above, can be identified as the original St. Martin's church, and was eventually rebuilt as a cathedral by bishop [[Balderic of Utrecht]].
Around this time the St. Salvator church was designated a collegiate church with its own chapter and immunity from civil law in favor of [[canon law]]. This immunity also extended to the houses of the [[Canon (priest)|canons]] and the Holy-Cross chapel, which, as stated above, can be identified as the original St. Martin's church, and was eventually rebuilt as a cathedral by Bishop [[Balderic of Utrecht]].


In 1131 and 1253 the St. Salvator church was damaged by fire, but restored in both cases.
In 1131 and 1253 the church building was damaged by fire, but restored in both cases.


==The final church==
==The final church==
[[File:Sint-Salvatorkerk Utrecht Monumenta Van Buchel blz60.jpg|thumb|right|Sint-Salvatorkerk, drawing made around 1615 by [[Aernout van Buchel]]]]


In its final form, the St. Salvator church was a [[Tuff]]-stone [[basilica]] with a deep choir, a transept and short nave, and a [[westwork]] with two towers. While the 10th-century nave and westwork, and 11th-century choir and transept were [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], the church was later adapted to the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style. Several new structures were also built, such as a school at the southern side of the tower and a library on the southern side of the choir.
In its final form, the St. Salvator church was a [[Tuff]]-stone [[basilica]] with a deep choir, a transept and short nave, and a [[westwork]] with two towers. While the 10th-century nave and westwork, and 11th-century choir and transept were [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], the church was later adapted to the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style. Several new structures were also built, such as a school at the southern side of the tower and a library on the southern side of the choir.


A map and construction drawings of the church in its final form were made by [[Aernout van Buchel]]. These drawings, which have been preserved, were made either shortly before or after the demolition of the church in 1587-1588. Another source is a description made by the [[Canon (priest)|canon]] Jan Mersman in 1592 of the by then torn down church. Not much remains of the church. Most of its fundament has also been removed. Today one can see the outlines of the choir and part of the transept in the paving of the Domplein, the square in front of the [[Dom Church]].
A map and construction drawings of the church in its final form were made by [[Aernout van Buchel]]. These drawings, which have been preserved, were made either shortly before or after the demolition of the church in 1587-1588. Another source is a description made by Canon Jan Mersman, in 1592, of the demolished church. Not much remains of the church; most of its foundation had been removed. Today one can see the outlines of the choir and part of the transept in the paving of the Domplein, the square in front of the Dom Church.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
R.J. Stöver, ''De Salvator- of Oudmunsterkerk te Utrecht, Stichtingsmonument van het bisdom Utrecht'', (Utrecht, 1997)
*{{cite book|location=Utrecht|publisher=Clavis|series=Clavis kunsthistorische monografieën|volume=16|last=Stöver|first=Reitze J.|title=De Salvator- of Oudmunsterkerk te Utrecht : stichtingsmonument van het bisdom Utrecht|year=1997|isbn=9789075616040|language=nl}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.domplein2013.nl/ Initiatief Domplein 2013](Dutch)
*[http://www.domplein2013.nl/ Initiatief Domplein 2013](Dutch)
*[http://www.collectieutrecht.nl/view.asp?type=object&id=286&query=oudmunster&perid=6 Salvatorkerk in Collectie Utrecht](Dutch)
*[https://archive.today/20130222121735/http://www.collectieutrecht.nl/view.asp?type=object&id=286&query=oudmunster&perid=6 Salvatorkerk in Collectie Utrecht](Dutch)

{{coord missing|Netherlands}}

[[Category:Cathedrals in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Utrecht (city)]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Salvator's Church, Utrecht}}
[[de:Salvatorkerk (Utrecht)]]
[[nl:Sint-Salvatorkerk (Utrecht)]]
[[Category:Churches in Utrecht (city)]]
[[Category:History of Utrecht (city)]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic cathedrals in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Destroyed churches]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in the 16th century]]

Latest revision as of 21:53, 20 November 2024

(1615)
Religion
AffiliationCatholic Church
Statusdemolished
Location
LocationUtrecht, Netherlands
Geographic coordinates52°05′25″N 5°07′18″E / 52.0903°N 5.1217°E / 52.0903; 5.1217
MaterialsTuff

The Sint-Salvator church (also called the Old-Munster church) was one of five Catholic Church collegiate churches in Utrecht, Netherlands, before the Protestant Reformation. The others were St. Martin's Cathedral (the present-day Dom Church), St. Peter's Church, St. John's church [nl] and St. Mary's church. The church building was situated on the present-day Domplein [nl] and was demolished during the Protestant Reformation, after the 1587 outlawing of Catholicism in the Dutch Republic.

The first St. Salvator church

[edit]

The exact history of first church building is not known but it was possibly built c. 695 and its presence was definitely established by 724. It was established by Willibrord, after he had received his mission from Pope Sergius I. The patron saint of the church, Salvator, is a possible reference to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the ecclesiastical seat of the Pope and the mother church of the Catholic Church, as this church was at first also dedicated to St. Salvator. The name Salvator means savior and is a direct reference to Jesus the Savior.

During World War II, the former church building location was subject to an archaeological excavation. At the site of the former crossing, on the axis of the church, wall remnants and limestone sarcophagi were found. From the positioning of the remnants it was concluded that the eastern annex of the church had been found. By studying the groundplan of the second church which included a very broad and extremely short nave and a heavy tower, the dimensions of the connecting hall were deduced. The original church was a 12 by 18 metres (39 ft × 59 ft) rectangular single-nave building with an attached 9 by 12 metres (30 ft × 39 ft) rectangular annex on the east side. The excavation showed that the annex, which contained many tombs within its walls, may have been a grave chapel and possibly a choir.

The St. Salvator church was located southwest of a second small church building, known as the Holy-Cross chapel, which was likely the original St. Martin's church. That small church building was demolished in 1826. Until the 10th century, these two churches formed a double cathedral building but it is not clear whether both church functioned as a cathedral. The bishop's cathedra was installed, c. 750, in St. Martin's church, the direct predecessor of the later Dom Church, which from then on was known as St. Martin's Cathedral.

Restoration and rebuilding in later times

[edit]
Map of the cathedral square in Utrecht showing Roman and medieval construction. St. Salvator is labeled 3.

The church was restored and possibly expanded during the episcopate of bishop Balderic of Utrecht (918-976). What exactly was done is not clear. A new grave-room might have been added to the eastern side. Balderic most likely paid more attention to the construction of the St. Martin's Cathedral to replace the old one. Under Balderic's third successor, Ansfried of Utrecht (995-1010), the church was largely rebuilt. The hall was cut into two. On the western half a westwork was erected after the example of the westwork at the Palatine Chapel in Aachen. The eastern half was transformed into a basilic layout by adding aisles. The eastern annex choir was maintained. In this form, the church may have acted as the bishopric's palatine church.[a] Similar churches were also built elsewhere from around 1000. They served to represent the bishop and his court.

Bishop Bernold made an end to the status of palatine church. The St. Salvator church was reformed into a chapter church, and the St. Martin's church was upgraded to cathedral status, becoming the seat of the bishop of Utrecht. Bernold and his successor William I adjusted the St. Salvator church to its new function, once more modifying and expanding it. The old eastern annex was taken down and replaced by a transept, whereby the eastern side received a prestigious, very deep, three-sided closed choir. Below this choir was a spacious crypt, that was accessible through side-chapels at the sides of the choir. Its layout corresponded to the other churches Bernold had built. The only difference, the extremely deep choir, seemed to be a reference to the special status of the church as burial place for the first bishops of Utrecht, amongst them Saint Boniface (who had never been bishop of Utrecht but was considered as such in medieval times).

The main altar was at first dedicated to Christ the Savior. The altar at the northern side-chapel was dedicated to Mary, and the southern side-chapel to John the Baptist. Together these altars represented the crucifixion and salvation of Christ. The main altar was also dedicated to Boniface, who had died as a martyr in 754 at Dokkum. Below the high altar, in the crypt, there was an altar dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian protomartyr. Bishop Frederick of Utrecht, who was murdered in the church in 835, according to legend for his criticism of Empress Judith of Bavaria, was buried in front of this altar.

Around this time the St. Salvator church was designated a collegiate church with its own chapter and immunity from civil law in favor of canon law. This immunity also extended to the houses of the canons and the Holy-Cross chapel, which, as stated above, can be identified as the original St. Martin's church, and was eventually rebuilt as a cathedral by Bishop Balderic of Utrecht.

In 1131 and 1253 the church building was damaged by fire, but restored in both cases.

The final church

[edit]
Sint-Salvatorkerk, drawing made around 1615 by Aernout van Buchel

In its final form, the St. Salvator church was a Tuff-stone basilica with a deep choir, a transept and short nave, and a westwork with two towers. While the 10th-century nave and westwork, and 11th-century choir and transept were Romanesque, the church was later adapted to the Gothic style. Several new structures were also built, such as a school at the southern side of the tower and a library on the southern side of the choir.

A map and construction drawings of the church in its final form were made by Aernout van Buchel. These drawings, which have been preserved, were made either shortly before or after the demolition of the church in 1587-1588. Another source is a description made by Canon Jan Mersman, in 1592, of the demolished church. Not much remains of the church; most of its foundation had been removed. Today one can see the outlines of the choir and part of the transept in the paving of the Domplein, the square in front of the Dom Church.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Palatine churches and chapels belong to, imperial, royal, or private palaces and castles.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ wikisource-logo.svg One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainColby, F.; Williams, T., eds. (1914). "Church". New International Encyclopedia. Vol. 5 (2nd ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead. p. 307.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Stöver, Reitze J. (1997). De Salvator- of Oudmunsterkerk te Utrecht : stichtingsmonument van het bisdom Utrecht. Clavis kunsthistorische monografieën (in Dutch). Vol. 16. Utrecht: Clavis. ISBN 9789075616040.
[edit]