St. Johann

Albert W. Ruppersberg. Geschichte der evangelischen Gemeinde St. Johann zu Saarbrücken zur 200 jährigen Erinnerungs-Feier der am 24. Juni 1727 erfolgten Einweihung der alten Kirche.

Saarbrücken: Selbstverlag der evang. Gemeinde St. Johann, 1927. Print.  Digitized at Saarländische Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek SULB digital: https://digital.sulb.uni-saarland.de/viewer/image/1757098321/5/LOG_0000/ page 84.

On January 23, 1736, the leaders of the town and parish of St. Johann concluded a contract with the organ builder Romanus Benedictus Nollet of Luxembourg, by which he undertook to build an organ with 12 stops for 700 guilders, free accommodation in St. Johann during his work period, and supply 5 cords of wood. The contract was signed by the chief magistrates Zeisig, Georg Ludwig Fürmond, Konrad Gottfried, Stephan Löw, the mayor, and Philipp Köhl as guarantor. The organ was completed in 1737. The costs amounted to 978 guilders. This sum was raised through voluntary contributions. The list of contributors is still preserved in the city archives. The inscription on the Spire reads:

103

Johann Jakob Gottlieb

Magnus Schellenberger.

Johann Jakob Brand, the director of church music in Saarbrücken, was consulted as an expert.

In 1765, it was discovered that the organ was in very poor condition. A committee of citizens, consisting of Messrs. G. L. Firmond, Nickel Scherer, Karl Löw, Daniel Sandel, Daniel Bruch, Georg Löw, Friedrich Mohr, Fr. Georg Simon, Ludwig Hör, Hutmacher, Christian Schmidt, Andreas Mügel, Balthasar Schlachter, and Thomas Röchling, petitioned the city court that the organ be thoroughly restored and moved forward several feet, as it was set too deep in the tower, thereby impairing its sound. They also stated that the pulpit would need to be modified. The organ builder estimated the repairs would cost 1600 guilders

In 1790, the organ builder Johann Nollet offered to carry out a repair for 18 louis d'or. The repair was inspected by the organ builder Geib from Pistorf, who noted various defects. A legal dispute eventually arose before the district court. Nollet, however, disappeared leaving behind debts.