Laurentiuskirche (Saint Lawrence Church), Leipzig

The Saint Lawrence Church (Laurentiuskirche) is a historical former village church located in the Leutzsch district of Leipzig. Originally, a chapel on this site was elevated to a parish church in 1397 and consecrated to Saint Lawrence. The oldest surviving part of the current structure is the lower section of the choir tower, featuring a star rib vault in its basement dating back to the 15th century.

During the first half of the 16th century, the parish adopted Protestantism. The church's distinctive octagonal upper tower floor, crowned with a Baroque-style Welsh dome, was constructed in 1689. Significant renovations occurred in 1852 and 1890, including the addition of a new window axis, a polygonal apse, and a sacristy on the south side. The pulpit and baptismal font also date from this period. In 1900, the church underwent further expansion to accommodate a larger organ, resulting in the replacement of the flat ceiling with a flat barrel vault and the addition of a western structure flanked by two polygonal stair towers. Major modifications in the 20th century included the removal of the side galleries in 1961.

A notable feature of the church is its winged altar, crafted in the early 16th century and adorned with seven carved figures. The central shrine depicts the plague saints Rochus, Sebastian, and Antonius, likely in response to the 1520 plague epidemic. The altar wings feature figures of Wolfgang and Laurentius on the left, and Maria and Elisabeth on the right. A predella with a depiction of Veronica's shroud was added during a restoration in 1933.

Inside the choir, two leaded glass windows, created in 1949 from designs by artist Paula Jordan, add to the church's post-war heritage. The church also houses three bells, cast in 1953, named in dedication to Maria, Katharina, and Susanna. Gravestones from the 18th century, originally located in the churchyard, now adorn the outer walls of the church, contributing to its historical charm and significance.