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St. Martin's Church, Zyfflich, Germany

. . . THIS MAY TAKE A MOMENT OR TWO . . .

Our gracious thanks to the entire Emschermann family for 
providing much information and virtually all of these photos.
This family has been actively involved in this parish church 
for many decades, and the Father of Clemens (see below)
has been the parish organist for 40 years!

An exterior view of St. Martin's Church in Zyfflich in Rhineland, near the border of the Netherlands, sent to us by Mr. Clemens Emschermann, and photographed by Mr. Andre Meisters -- both friends of the Order.

zyfflich01.jpg (17387 bytes)

A photograph taken by Mr. Clemens Emschermann, showing the rural area around the small town of Zyfflich, with the medieval church punctuating the landscape.

zyfflich02.jpg (57289 bytes)

Aerial view of the town of Zyfflich, which lies generally to the west of Xanten. zyf-034.JPG (56568 bytes)
An older photo done after the restoration, which began in 1948. zyf-002.JPG (21096 bytes)
The apse area from the exterior.  zyf-003.JPG (27411 bytes)
The front door of the church, which has a unique inscription. zyf-004.JPG (23344 bytes)
Above the portal of the front door there is   a verse in Hexameter which reads:  VITA SAL(US) REQUIES DATUR HICPULSATE FIDELES (Life, health and peace is given to believers) zyf-005.JPG (21276 bytes)
Interior of the church looking from the rear of the building toward the altar / apse area. zyf-035.JPG (18911 bytes)
Older photo from the same perspective as the color photo above. zyf-022.JPG (20367 bytes)
Interior photo looking at some of the arches in the nave, and the suspended candelabra near the pulpit (at extreme left). zyf-023.JPG (24871 bytes)
Another photo of the nave, showing some of the original pillars preserved in the church (see below) zyf-020.JPG (16935 bytes)
Yet more Nave arches and pillars. zyf-021.JPG (16211 bytes)
Closeup of one of the original pillars of the church. zyf-031.JPG (31314 bytes)
Closeup of the capital of the pillar above. zyf-030.JPG (18007 bytes)
Corinthian style pillar. zyf-032.JPG (44032 bytes)
Another corinthian style pillar. zyf-033.JPG (35184 bytes)
"Figures" capital of one of the pillars. zyf-025.JPG (28007 bytes)
Closeup of a figure on the "Figures" capital. zyf-024.JPG (30145 bytes)
Another ornate capital from an original medieval pillar in St. Martin's Church.  zyf-026.JPG (19879 bytes)
Closeup of a "Floral" capital.   zyf-027.JPG (30775 bytes)
Closeup of a "Formal" capital.   zyf-028.JPG (26212 bytes)
Another capital. zyf-029.JPG (25153 bytes)
The next photographs show some of the damage caused in the catastrophy of World War II, and what the general state of St. Martin's was 1944-1947 zyf-012.JPG (19339 bytes)
Another tragic photograph.  There was never a doubt about whether to restor this ancient Church, however. zyf-013.JPG (17888 bytes)
A view of the front door to the St. Martin's.  zyf-017.JPG (21238 bytes)
Note the front doors which appear "blown in". zyf-018.JPG (26562 bytes)
A photo taken from within the damaged church showing some of the main archways and an open roof! zyf-014.JPG (22563 bytes)
A small portion of the roof did remain with its vaulting, shown at right. zyf-015.JPG (22845 bytes)
Finally a view toward the rear of the damaged church and its front doors.  zyf-016.JPG (19146 bytes)
Now of course completely restored, St. Martin's is the  pride not only of Zyfflich, but of the entire district!  zyf-001.JPG (19683 bytes)
Restored nave.
Altar.