600-year-old German church features Taylor Swift music to attract younger people: ‘it’s much easier’

The Protestant Heiliggeistkirche in the old centre of Heidelberg, in southwest Germany, saw its 423 seats quickly booked up for the initial service on May 12

That led church leaders to organise a second afternoon service as well. Admission is free, but seats must be reserved in advance

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Taylor Swift performs in Tokyo, Japan on February 7. Photo: Reuters/File

Published: 12:00am, 18 Apr 2024Updated: 1:41am, 18 Apr 2024

A Christian church in the German city of Heidelberg is offering worship services featuring the music of Taylor Swift, drawing strong interest.

The Protestant Heiliggeistkirche in the old centre of Heidelberg, a medieval university town in southwest Germany, saw its 423 seats quickly booked up for the initial service on May 12.

That led church leaders to organise a second afternoon service as well. Admission is free, but seats must be reserved in advance.

I’m pretty stunned and surprised. I hadn’t expected this response. We deliberately want to reach other audiences, especially younger people

Vincenco Petracca, pastor

Both will feature live performances of Swift’s music by Tine Wiechmann, who teaches religious pop music at the Heidelberg University of Church Music. Wiechmann plans to sing about six songs by the pop star.

“I’m pretty stunned and surprised. I hadn’t expected this response,” the church’s pastor, Vincenco Petracca, said on Wednesday.

“We deliberately want to reach other audiences, especially younger people.”

The services are entitled “Anti Hero” after the song by Swift.