St. Gotthardt church Brandenburg

St. Gotthardt church Brandenburg, locally known as St. Gotthardt, stands as a magnificent testament to the rich historical tapestry and architectural evolution in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. This ecclesiastical gem, alongside St. Katharinen and the Brandenburg Cathedral, is one of the three principal churches in the city, drawing visitors with its storied past and impressive structure.

The Historical Legacy of St. Gotthardt Church

The origins of St. Gotthardt church trace back to before 1147, likely established by the Slavic Heveller prince Pribislaw/Heinrich. It was initially dedicated to St. Godehard of Hildesheim, a revered bishop. By 1147, a Premonstratensian monastery was founded here with clerics from the St. Marien monastery in Leitzkau. In 1161, this establishment was elevated to the Brandenburg Cathedral Chapter, and by 1165, the Premonstratensians relocated to the cathedral island, leaving St. Gotthardt as the parish church of Brandenburg's old town.

Architectural Evolution

The architectural journey of St. Gotthardt church is a fascinating narrative of transformation and resilience. The original church structure has left no traces; however, the current west tower, constructed from regular granite ashlars, dates back to the latter half of the 12th century. Initially conceived as a double tower, this Romanesque edifice features a round-arched stepped portal and a large oculus, though its exact period of installation remains uncertain.

From 1456, the church underwent significant Gothic remodeling under the supervision of master builder Heinrich Reinstorp. The transformation included the construction of a three-nave hall church, with the new church consecrated in 1475. Notable additions during this period include the baptismal chapel in 1472. The church experienced a major restoration between 1904 and 1906, funded by generous donations. This restoration unveiled the west portal and the large round-arched window while also renovating chapels and galleries and painting the church's interior.

Surviving the Test of Time

The church's tower received a Baroque lantern and hood in 1776, which were unfortunately destroyed in 1945. A provisional structure replaced them until a simpler restoration was completed between 1964 and 1966. A devastating fire in 1972 ravaged the church's interior and organ, prompting extensive renovations from 1976, with a new organ inaugurated in 1986.

In the 2000s, the former baptismal chapel underwent significant repairs due to severe damage from years of rainwater infiltration. The restoration was financially supported by a fundraising appeal led by Vicco von Bülow (Loriot), who was baptized in the chapel, and the German Foundation for Monument Protection. The restored north chapel was ceremonially handed over on September 19, 2009, as a gift to Loriot for his 85th birthday.

Inside St. Gotthardt Church

St. Gotthardt church is home to several treasures, including a 13th-century bronze baptismal font in late Romanesque style and a valuable woven altar cloth depicting Christian mythological scenes of a unicorn hunt. The Trebaw epitaph, showcasing a realistic city view of the old town from the west, and the epitaph of Simon Roter, the old town's mayor, are among the notable artifacts.

Other rich epitaphs include those of the old town mayor Michael During and his wife Katharina Zieriss, and Georg Hahn, who died young of tuberculosis. The latter was crafted by sculptor Zacharias Bogenkrantz. The church's stained glass windows were designed and executed by Otto Linnemann from Frankfurt.

Since 1947, the former main altar of St. Gotthardt church, featuring Carl Gottfried Pfannschmidt's 1874 painting Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, has been housed in the north chapel, restored in honor of Loriot. The main altar is now the late Gothic winged altar, and the chapel also contains the epitaph of Superintendent Andreas Prätorius from 1675.

The Organ's Musical Journey

St. Gotthardt church has had a rich history of organs, starting with the 1553-1554/1557 organ built by Jacob Scherer, which was reviewed by Arp Schnitger in 1707. Joachim Wagner replaced this with a new organ in 1736-1737, which was housed in the cross-vaulted space above the tower porch. This Wagner organ was replaced during the 1904-1906 restoration with a new organ by Wilhelm Sauer, retaining the 1737 Wagner case. The 1972 fire destroyed this organ, and a new organ built by Schuke was inaugurated in 1986, featuring 44 registers on three manual works and pedal, with mechanical play and register action.

The Surrounding Grounds

In the northeastern corner of the church grounds once stood the episcopal court. This property, adjacent to the old town's city wall, became the site of the Saldria, the new home of the old town Latin school, after the Reformation. The Saldria, which opened in 2008 as an intercultural center in collaboration with the Berlin-Brandenburg Society for Foreign Relations (BBAG), continues the tradition of the Latin school. The previous Latin school building, opposite St. Gotthardt's westwork and shortened by two half-timbered bays in 1551/52, still stands today and is used by the Gallery Sonnensegel for children's and youth work projects.

St. Gotthardt church Brandenburg is not just a place of worship but a beacon of historical and architectural significance, reflecting the enduring spirit and heritage of Brandenburg an der Havel. Its walls and artifacts tell stories of centuries past, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.