Holy Spirit Church (Werder)

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The Holy Spirit Church in Werder
Interior of the church

The Protestant Church of the Holy Spirit is a neo-Gothic building in Werder , a town in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district ( Brandenburg ). The church is a landmark of the island and can be seen from afar, Theodor Fontane called it a small town cathedral when viewed from a distance .

History and architecture

In the same place on the Kirchberg stood two previous churches, the first built by the Cistercians of the Lehnin monastery around 1250. Due to dilapidation, it was demolished in 1736 and replaced by a church with a squat half-timbered tower. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV then suggested a new building, the construction of which began in 1856 according to plans by the architect and Prussian master builder August Stüler . Rathenow clinker bricks were mainly used as building material , but field stones that were left over from the demolition of the previous church were also reused. The neo-Gothic church was consecrated on April 18, 1858. Due to the arrangement of the nave and transept , the building has a cross-shaped floor plan.

The colored glass windows were installed in 1911, they show the Ascension of Christ and the four evangelists. The windows in the ship and above the side galleries were destroyed in the Second World War, new windows were made in 1950 based on designs by Katharina Peschel. They show the birth and death of Christ as well as the baptism and the resurrection. In renovations after 1980 were the square plaster the outer walls renewed and reworked some lost conglomerates in hand. The roof was re-covered in slate, the windows in the lower area were provided with double glazing. The water deflectors on the roof and the wall coverings were made of copper.

In the vault of the apse , a dove can be seen above the ciborium , it is the ancient church symbol of the Holy Spirit. The interior was extensively restored from 1989 to 1994 based on old photos, the color versions were adapted to the original ones, the stencil painting of the wooden ceiling was extensively restored. The square painting on the plastered walls was renewed according to Stüler's designs. The stalls and the galleries were given a new coat of paint, new lamps and chandeliers were made according to old illustrations.

Steeple

The tower has a height of about 50 meters. Since an investigation in 1995 found that all wooden parts were badly affected by rot and pests, extensive maintenance work had to be initiated. The upper edge of the tower was secured with a ring anchor and the wooden structure was renewed or repaired. The pinnacles were rebuilt, missing terracotta parts were reburned in the brick factory in Glindow . The cross of the tower made provisionally in the post-war period was replaced by a finial , which contains documents from the old cross as well as from 1996.

Furnishing

  • The altar table is made of stucco. The body of the cross was carved in southern Germany. The ciborium above is richly decorated with neo-Gothic decor. The figures of the apostles Peter, Paul, Phillippus and Jacobus stand on the four pillars.
  • The pulpit made of artificial stone was made by the sculptor Friedrich Wilhelm Dankberg from Berlin. The pulpit shows the church teachers Luther, Calvin, Augustin, Orgines and Melanchton.
  • The wooden baptism includes a tombac baptismal bowl that dates from 1718.
  • The organ was built in by Carl Ludwig Gesell from Potsdam in 1858, parts of the original registers are still preserved. The organ building company Schuke rebuilt the instrument in 1906 and 1934, it has two manuals and a pedal, 20 stops and a pneumatic action. Another renovation took place in 1985, the romantic sound was retained.
  • The painting Christ as a pharmacist was probably painted at the end of the 17th century and was made famous by Fontane in his wanderings through the Mark . Christ is shown behind a prescription table, he gives medication for the well-being of the soul: He gives funds for the mental well-being, patience, hope, love, constancy, help, peace, grace . The scales are the symbol for judgment, the sins of the people are weighed. In 1993 the workshops of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation restored the painting.

Bells

Bell outside

Two bronze bells were confiscated during World War II, they were replaced by two steel bells in 1954, which are now on display in the church square. Since they were very heavy, they contributed significantly to the damage to the tower, while the bell cage had to be replaced during the repair work. In December 1996, a large bell was cast in Lauchhammer .

literature

Web links

Commons : Heilig-Geist-Kirche, Werder  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Landmark
  2. ↑ Builder and construction time
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Church leaders of the Heilig-Geist-Kirchengemeinde
  4. ↑ Interior renovation from 1989

Coordinates: 52 ° 22 ′ 38.1 ″  N , 12 ° 56 ′ 38.8 ″  E