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Origin and history

The Protestant church of Diemeringen, located in the Lower Rhine, is a religious building built in the 3rd quarter of the 18th century. It is distinguished by its rectangular plan and its square campanile surmounted by a bulb, typical of Alsatian Protestant architecture. The main gate, adorned with an entrapment and half-columns, recalls that of the church of Harskirchen, while the side elevations, symmetrical, include windows in segmental arc and a portal surmounted by a truncated pediment.

The present church replaces an old Stadtkirche (church of the city), dedicated to Protestants, whose deteriorated state required its reconstruction in 1757 (or 1768 according to some sources). The plans were drawn up by architect François Joachim Stengel, a major figure in Baroque architecture in Alsace. In 1985, renovations made it possible to rediscover paintings on the panels of the gallery, testifying to the original decorative richness. The building, including the gallery and its panel, has been listed as historic monuments since December 30, 1985.

Prior to its reconstruction, Diemeringen had three churches: the Schlosskirche (near the former castle), the Stadtkirche (in the present location), and the Totenkirche (reserved for Catholics, near the present cemetery). The Totenkirche has now disappeared, but some remains remain. The present Protestant church, owned by the commune, embodies the Protestant religious and architectural heritage in Alsace, marked by Baroque and classical influences.

The building is located at 2 Rue du Vin, in the centre of Diemeringen, and its inscription to historical monuments covers not only the building, but also interior elements such as the pulpit and paintings of the gallery. The latter, revealed in 1985, illustrate the artistic and cultural importance of this place of worship, reflecting the local Protestant traditions and their evolution in the 18th century.

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