In 1707 aged 22 Bach married Maria Barbara at the tiny village of Dornheim, in the church of St Bartholomew where his friend was the pastor. The couple walked the 4 kilometres from Arnstadt at the head of a happy procession, recently re-enacted by the locals. The warden who was quite old, gladly opened the little church after we drove round to knock on his door as directed by a sign, and then he proudly gave us a private guided tour in German, quite late in the afternoon. I was pleased to be able to help him understand a telephone call in English, from someone who was wanting to bring a party of 30 to the church the very next day.
This church had white painted timber work just like the Bach Kirche in Arnstadt, but he told us this was a Baroque addition after the time of Bach. We were shown some ancient 14th century artifacts including altar pieces, tombstones and a strikingly life-like full sized carved wooden crucifix hidden in a small alcove. I was thrilled when he invited me to play the baroque style tracker action organ, which was very special in such a historic place.
