The late Gothic St. Petri-Pauli Church became well known because Martin Luther was baptized here in 1483. Today, it has been restored and houses the "Baptism Center Eisleben."
On November 10, 1483, Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, and one day later, on November 11, he was baptized in St. Peter and Paul Church. At that time, the sacred building was likely not as impressive as it is today, as the three-aisled church was not completed until 1513. However, the baptismal font at which the Reformer received the Christian sacrament has been preserved to this day.
It is therefore no surprise that the theme of "baptism" has become the central focus of the church’s modern use. Saved from decay by an extensive renovation in 2021, the church now features a modern-looking baptismal pool embedded in the floor as its centerpiece. Gentle ripples continuously move across the surface of the round basin, which lies in the chancel. If you wish to be baptized in St. Peter and Paul Church, you can choose either the traditional baptism at the historic font or full immersion in the new baptismal pool.
Regardless of how one chooses to receive baptism, the church’s interior creates an atmosphere of quiet, solemn reverence. Painted in light tones, the nave feels bright and flooded with light, exuding the graceful elegance of the late Gothic style. It is a perfectly fitting setting for devotions, services, and educational programs of the "Baptism Center." Changing exhibitions and concerts are also regularly held in St. Peter and Paul Church.
