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Born: November 24, 1550 - Bernau, near Berlin, Germany
Died: January 17, 1595 - Iglau (today Czech Jihlava), Moravia |
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Kaspar [Caspar] Stolzhagen [Stolshagen] was born in Bernau, raged the plague in the small town and brought hundreds to their deaths. The father, Joachim Stolzhagen, was a pastor, as can be seen from his epitaph. He was instrumental in the introduction of the Reformation in Bernau and died at the age of 36. Kaspar Stolzhagen attended high school in Frankfurt/Oder. In 1568 he began the study of theology and acquired in 1570 the master's degree.
After his studies, Kaspar Stolzhagen was first Konrektor, later Rektor at the school in Bernau. In 1574 he was appointed Rektor at the Gymnasium in Stendal. Two years later, he moved to the parish office at the local Marienkirche and remained for 10 years in this office. In 1587 he was appointed the first pastor and superintendent of the Deutschen Gemeinde (German Community) in Iglau. It is the same church where Paul Speratus worked in 1522-1523. Stolzhagen developed a harmonious relationship with the Brüdergemeine (Brethren Church) in Moravia, but fought combative with the rebaptists. In addition to the preaching activity, the printed missionary word was dear to his heart. For this he had brought from Stendal a printing company, which he housed because of lack of space not in Iglau, but in nearby Altenberg. Economically, this operation brought difficulties; only three works printed there are known. In 1593 he obtained his doctorate with his friend, the Professor of theology and then Rektor of the University of Frankfurt/Oder, Joachim Becker, the doctor of theology with a work De omnipraesentia Christi Jesus filii clef incarnati et exaltati ad dexteram patris omnipotentis personali, qua suis creatures etiam extra ecdesiam adesse et dominari creditur. The wide-hearted theme may reflect Stolzhagen's missionary commitment. On January 17, 1594 Kaspar Stolzhagen died in Iglau.
Kaspar Stolzhagen was famous for his Latin poems, which seem to have been of greater rank than his German rhymes. In 1589 he published Betbüchlein über die Sonntags Evangelia und fürnehmsten Feste (booklet about the Sunday Evangelia and the most popular festivals). In 1591-1592 he published a family play and song book Kinderspiegel oder Hauszucht- und Tuchbüclilein .., which includes text to the chorale Heut triumphieret Godes Sohn. However, this text is "so corrupt that it makes it difficult to say what language you should use to get sick. Even later editions give no clarity. " (HEKG III/1, p.345) The authorship of Stolzhagens is quetioned by Siegfried Fomacon. |
