Philippi, Friedrich (Fritz) Heinrich Wilhelm

Protestant pastor, writer

Born: 05.01.1869 in Wiesbaden

Died: 20.02.1933 on the train journey from Freiburg im Breisgau to Wiesbaden

Philippi studied Protestant theology in Berlin, Tübingen and Marburg from 1888-91 and then attended the theological seminary in Herborn. He was ordained in Wiesbaden in 1894 and became vicar in Freiendiez, then parish administrator of St. Peter's in Diez. In 1887 he was appointed parish priest of Breitscheid in the Westerwald. In 1904, he was entrusted with looking after the prisoners in Diez. In 1910, he was appointed as the sixth pastor at the Ringkirche in Wiesbaden, which his father's locksmith business had helped to build, and remained in this position until his death. During his time in office, he became dean and, in 1927, a regional church councilor.

His poetic work mostly remained committed to spiritual themes, although his language approached an expressionist style. One poem, for example, symbolizes the horror of war in the cipher of mourning for the melted-down bells of the Ringkirche (in the commemorative publication "Ringkirche" by Heinrich Schlosser, 1919). Philippi left behind 17 novels and volumes of stories, seven dramas, three volumes of poetry and other writings.

Philippi was buried in the North Cemetery. A street in the west of Wiesbaden is named after him.