Ludwig van Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

Ludwig van Beethoven: Missa Solemnis at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in historic downtown Savannah!

Join us on Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM for an unforgettable evening of extraordinary music as we celebrate the restoration of our historic Sanctuary at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church.

The Sanctuary will be beautifully decorated for Christmas as we present Beethoven's monumental Missa Solemnis, one of the most profound and powerful sacred works ever written for chorus and orchestra. This special evening will also include a moment of gratitude and recognition for the many individuals whose dedication made the Sanctuary's Restoration possible.

We will also honor our neighbors at Congregation Mickve Israel. December 12 marks the final day of Hanukkah, a meaningful reminder of the shared spirit of faith and community in our city. This date carries special significance in the life of Beethoven as well. December was the month of his birth, and December 12 marks the anniversary of his first composition lesson with Franz Joseph Haydn, the composer who helped shape his early career.

Our celebration follows a difficult chapter in the church's history. On July 21, 2025, a portion of our historic sanctuary ceiling unexpectedly collapsed causing significant damage and rendering our Sanctuary unusable for more than a year. We look forward to gathering again in this sacred space and marking the occasion with one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred music ever written.

This is a rare opportunity to witness a live performance of one of Beethoven's greatest works in person, surrounded by the historic walls of the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. Beethoven composed the Missa Solemnis while also composing his Ninth Symphony, and they premiered within a month of each other. The Ninth Symphony is often viewed as a hymn to humanity, while the Missa Solemnis is widely regarded as Beethoven's hymn to God, reflecting a deeper spirituality.

Beethoven inscribed the piece with these words: "From the heart—may it return to the heart." Those words capture the spirit of this evening. The Sanctuary restoration has been a work of devotion offered from many people, and on this evening this great music returns that gift, filling our renewed space with beauty, gratitude, and praise to our Maker.

We invite you to be part of this historic and celebratory evening. Any guests with mobility needs are invited to contact the church office for tickets with accessible seating. 912-232-0191

Wesley Monumental Choir
Orchestra
Rebecca Flaherty, soprano
Claire Watts, mezzo-soprano
Caleb Stack, tenor
Dr. Allen Henderson, baritone
Dr. Monica Dekle, Director of Music

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Host or Publisher Dr. Monica Harper Dekle, conductor. Wesley Monumental Choir with Orchestra