A year-long celebration series of events is being planned for the whole of 2012
2012 is not only the year of the London Olympics and the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ final concert in the Star-Club in Hamburg, it is also the 400th anniversary of the founding of the ‘English Church’ in Hamburg: the first legally established Anglican Church in Europe outside the British Isles, and the first non-Lutheran church to be permitted religious freedom within the city walls of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
To claim to be the oldest or first of anything in Europe is always fraught with the risk of challenges but we make the claim above in italics and await counter claims! It was in the interests of trade, something so precious to the lifeblood of the Hnase that religious principles can be put aside, a contract was made in 1611 between the Senate and the English overseas traders guild, the Merchant Adventurers, permitting the founding of an Anglican church in Hamburg. The Senate even provided a building. The first sermon was preached by the Revd John Wing in January 1612 setting a precendent for religious freedom.
The 400th anniversary of this event provides a significant opportunity for celebration. the congregation of St Thomas Becket, which nowadays comprises a host of nationalities including many Germans, is using this opportunity to engage with a wider community of people in Hambury and further afield to strengthen the fellowship of its members, and promote the mission of the church. A year-long celebration series of events is being planned for the whole of 2012 with activities ranging from concerts to dance, from art exhibitions to walks and talks. Further information can be found on the website www.stbecket400.de
The organisers would like to make this more than just a celebration of St Thomas Becket Church in Hamburg, and invite other Diocese in Europe Anglican Churches to contribute their history to our celebration as a celebration of the Anglican Church in Europe. A publication is planned to include articles from as many churches as possible, especially those with a trading connection. If you are willing to contribute or would like to know more please email stb400@stbecket.de
All visitors will be sepcially welcomed with more information appearing on the website during the course of 2011. Wilkommen in Hamburg.
By Monica Schofield in the Diocese of Europe’s The European Anglican magazine