Auguste Victoria (Church of the Ascension)

Last week we accompanied the students on a field trip to see views of the city from various lookout points.  We stopped at the Auguste Victoria tower which is situated at the top of the Mount of Olives, just a short distance from where we live. 

The photo above shows the tower of the Auguste Victoria (Church of the Ascension) at night. Note how the tower soars upward on the Mount of Olives, located just above the Seven Arches Hotel and the Jewish cemetery below.

All 83 students, two professors, along with Garth and I  were 

anxious for another day to explore.  

Dr. Esplin explained that the Augusta Victoria Bell tower sits at the highest point on the Mount of Olives, 2,670 feet above sea level and that we would be walking to the top for an even better view a little later. 

The Augusta Victoria Tower is the tower of the Church of the Ascension, a German Protestant Church, which rises 140 feet upward. It was built to this height in the 1870's so that pilgrims unable to walk to the  Jordan River could climb its 214 steps and at least see the spectacular panoramic view and the river. 

The bell tower bells ring only in pitches D, E, G and B with the largest of them weighing 6 tons. The bell was cast in Russia but was pulled mainly by Pilgrim women on a circular wagon from the port of Jaffa. In order to transport the bells from Jaffa (Israel) to Jerusalem, the road had to be widened and paved. Even though the the distance was only 55 miles, the cost was more than double it was to transport the bells from Germany to Israel!  We were told that these were the first Christian bells to ring in the Ottoman city of Jerusalem.  

Interestingly enough, the bells harmonize with the those of Dormition Abbey, the Basilica  of the Holy Cross and the Church of the Redeemer in the Old City.  The complex was built beginning in 1907 by Empress Augusta Victoria for the German Protestant community in Palestine but is now run by the Lutheran church.

Dormition Abbey

Basilica of the Holy Cross

Looking up at the steeple of the Church of the Redeemer 
from the rooftop of the Holy Sepulchre.

Photo below:  Auguste Victoria Compound. 

Ariel view of the Auguste Victoria Compound includes a hospital, a hostel and more.

Throughout much of the history of Auguste Victoria, the compound was used mostly as a military hospital or headquarters during the 1st and 2nd World Wars and for Palestinian refugees.  In the 1930's , it was used by the Nazi party and at that time a hostel was opened.  At the beginning of World War II, the building was used as a hospital by the British and prior to the Six-Day War (1967), it was fortified with bunkers.  During the Six-Day War, it was damaged and the upper floor was destroyed by fire.  In 1988, the artwork was restored to its original condition and is now currently run by the Lutheran Church. In 2007, the 100th anniversary was celebrated.  

Today the 161 bed hospital is an oncology clinic for ear, nose and throat diseases.  This is in cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and treats mostly Palestinians and refugees.

This is the entry to the church.

This ornamental sculpture of King David and his harp adorned a wall in the entry.

When we entered the church, we were thrilled to see beautifully detailed ceiling pantings, mosaics in the apse of the choir and in the gallery.   We had to time a few moments to absorb the beautiful artwork and the amazing architecture.  The center of the ceiling painting depicts Christ after His resurrection with apostles, Peter and either James or John on each side.  (Did you know that James and John were brothers?) 

The Church was built in Byzantine style.   The light filtered in 
through gold colored glass  windows.

Drs. Ludlow and Esplin lead separate groups of students and after a little time to sing, 

(the acoustics were wonderful) we were allowed to walk around and explore. 

The Byzantine floors were really beautiful!

While the church is dedicated to the Ascension of Jesus, 

it also claims a connection to John the Baptist.  

As I looked up,  I saw organ pipes upstairs so I slipped off to find the organ console.

I went upstairs and was fascinated by the gorgeous mosaics along the arches but then I saw some large pedals connected to bellows used to pump air into the organ pipes.  I couldn't resist trying them out. This very old pump organ was built in 1910 by the Sauer Company from Frankfurt, Germany. 

I looked up for a closer view of the pipes.  I should have counted them.  

Our organ at the Jerusalem Center has 3,165!

I was delighted to find this organ console but it was locked!  However, because Dr. Ludlow wanted me to play, he asked for permission and I was given a key to unlock it.  Whee . . . how fun for me!  I keep saying this but every day I live in Israel, I learn something new.  This takes the cake today!

"Hey, I want to help," said Tommy.

I unlocked the doors and found a four octave console with two keyboards. 

The pedals were really worn and I wondered if it would even play. Aaron and little Tommy Esplin were determined to pump the air so the organ would sound.

They shouted out, "Start playing . . we are pumping!"

The next thing I know, I was pushing down some stops and the lovely flute tones were sounding.  I began playing a few hymns and the Irish tune, "Take Time to be Holy." I thoroughly enjoyed this experience.  Now I want to go back but this time take some music.  and take some music the next time.

At the end of the hallwas was this print of Jesus of Nazareth on a donkey.

There were some beautiful rooms on the upper level so I took a little more time to explore.

Directly across this room was another with the Crucifix.  

The arches were so beautiful I could have stayed much longer just to admire them.

This painting depicts the founding couple of this church, Emperor Wilhelm II and Empress Auguste Victoria, dressed in the style of the crusader period of the Middle Ages.

Below: This painting is called "Holy City of Jerusalem" of the Middle Ages.

The work of the local stone masons has earned much interest because 

of the richness of their form and the details of  workmanship.

A replica of The Ark of the Covenant.   Inside the Ark was manna, Aaron's rod, and Tablets of Stone (which are the Ten Commandments).

The ornamental motif tells the story of the last days of Christ's life.   
Mary holds her son, Jesus, after He was crucified.

Time was flying and it was time to leave but I needed one more look at the beautiful details.

The painting above depicts Christ's prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem. Luke 21: 5

Notice the  Coat of Arms in the window.  Various Coat of Arms 

were displayed in all of the small arched windows.  

Just outside the church was a small gift shop where I saw a miniature creche.  

It was simplistic in design but lovely.  The figures were about 3-4" tall

 and baby Jesus was about 1" in length.   I immediately thought of

our grandchildren and knew they would love this.

I conclude this entry with a quote by Corita Kent: 

 Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.