A Study on the formation and coexistence of the ‘Double Church’ in Augsburg, Germany in the 16th and 17th countries

This study examines the process of religious harmony and peace between denominations in Reformation-era Augsburg, Germany, focusing on the case of 'Double Churches' (Doppelkirchen). The research is divided into three parts: First, it illuminates the regional significance and characteristics of Augsburg, a crucial location in Reformation history, and examines various reformation movements in the city led by Lutherans, Zwinglians, supporters of Johannes Oecolampadius and Martin Bucer, and Anabaptists. Second, it explores the meaning of Double Churches through the formation process of Augsburg's representative examples: ‘Basilika St. Ulrich und Afra, Evangelisch St. Ulrich’ and ‘Evangelisch und Katholisch Heilig Kreuz’ churches. A Double Church refers to Catholic and Protestant churches coexisting either with a partition wall between them or as adjacent neighbors. While sharing structural proximity, they maintain separate worship spaces and independent religious activities while pursuing mutual respect and harmony. Finally, the study analyzes the significance and importance of the ‘Augsburg High Peace Festival’(Augsburger Hohes Friedensfest) that began after the Thirty Years' War(1618-1648). This festival commemorates past efforts to overcome denominational conflicts while demonstrating the possibility of peaceful religious coexistence in modern society. This research confirms that Augsburg's Double Churches, which contributed to denominational peace during the Reformation, can serve as a model for peace among various religions today. Furthermore, the Augsburg Peace Festival, which expanded from freedom of Christian denominations to religious freedom in general, provides significant implications for resolving various religious conflicts in contemporary society.