German church features Taylor Swift music to attract younger people

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 south-west Germany, saw its 423 seats quickly booked up for the initial service on May 12.

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

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, Vincenzo 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.

The Heiliggeistkirche has been incorporating pop music into services since 2015, with previous services featuring music from the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Queen and Madonna.

There was also been a church service with music by Michael Jackson, during which the pastor said he also addressed the allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson and the topic of sexual abuse in the church.

"It's much easier with Taylor Swift," said Petracca.

The pastor said the Swift-themed church services will focus on the relationship between religion and politics.

"She's the most powerful pop musician on the planet right now. She is thought to be so influential in the US elections in the fall," Petracca said.

According to Petracca, the 600-year-old Gothic Heiliggeistkirche is the largest church in Heidelberg and the surrounding area.