The Protestant parish church of Wölfersheim is usually kept locked, and I unfortunately wasn’t able to arrive in time for the opening hours of the parish office.

Therefore, I have only external photos of this unusual church. Coming from the south, you do not see the round tower. You have to walk around the main body to be able to see it.

The following description is taken from the website “Denkmalpflege Hessen”:

The church was built in 1717 on the foundations of a Solms castle. A fortified tower of the castle was incorporated into the new church as a bell tower and given a new staggered dome helmet. Until 1717, Wölfersheim only had one chapel, the stately castle chapel. It was originally a branch of the Södeler community and was located near the open Schalturm (Brauhofgasse 16), which was mentioned in connection with the town fortifications. It was only around 1600, with the introduction of the Reformation, that the Wölfersheim community became independent.

Due to the southern longitudinal façade with a colossal order of pilasters and half-columns, it is often assumed that the church, which was begun in 1717, was initially conceived as a palace and only became a place of worship as a result of a later change of plan. In fact, however, the construction of the church was already documented when the foundation stone was laid in 1717. The construction period lasted until 1740, with the Solms counts Wilhelm-Moritz (until 1731) and Friedrich Wilhelm (until 1740) as the builders. A transverse hall was built according to the requirements of the Reformed doctrine. The overall external impression is characterised by the already mentioned south façade and a mansard roof. A transverse gable was started but left unfinished.

The interior is dominated by the pulpit wall on the long side opposite the entrance. The pulpit corresponds with the organ on the three-sided gallery. The room is characterised by a sober order that contrasts with the magnificent south façade. When the new parish church was completed in 1740, the older Wölfersheim chapel was demolished.