Marienkirche, Frankfurt

The St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) in Frankfurt (Oder), Brandenburg, Germany, stands as a magnificent testament to the enduring spirit of the city and the grandeur of North German Brick Gothic architecture. A place of worship, a historical monument, and a cultural hub, this church has witnessed centuries of history, from its medieval origins to its modern-day reconstruction and revival.

The Medieval Beginnings

St. Mary's Church traces its origins back to 1253, shortly after the founding of Frankfurt (Oder). The initial structure featured one of the earliest galleries in the Margraviate of Brandenburg. By around 1360, the original choir was replaced by an ambulatory choir, completed possibly by 1367, making it one of the earliest of its kind in the region. This architectural marvel drew inspiration from the Holy Cross Church in Schwäbisch Gmünd and bore similarities to St. Peter's Church in Lübeck. Concurrently, a polygonal entrance hall with a sandstone portal was added to the northern transept.

The 15th century saw significant expansions, with the nave being extended to five aisles and the outer aisles adorned with painted attics. Around 1450, the twin-towered façade was raised by four stories, with the north tower crowned by an octagonal helmet and the south tower by a crenellated crown and spire. The final major expansion occurred in 1521/22 with the addition of a new sacristy with a gallery and a martyr choir, coinciding with the founding of the Viadrina University.

The Glorious Stained Glass Windows

A unique feature of St. Mary's Church is its three large stained glass windows, created between 1360 and 1370. These Gothic-style windows comprise 117 panels, each measuring 83 by 43 centimeters, funded by the city's citizens. The windows narrate biblical stories, including the Creation, the lives of Adam and Eve, the construction of Noah's Ark, the life of Christ, and the legend of the Antichrist, serving as a visual Bible for the congregation.

19th and Early 20th Century Preservation

In the 19th century, the south tower of the church collapsed on May 15, 1826. The Prussian chief architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel decided to completely wall off a Gothic façade from the 13th century, which was rediscovered during restoration work in the 1990s. Schinkel's pupil, Emil Flaminius, oversaw the restoration, though the south tower was not rebuilt. The stained glass windows were removed and restored according to Schinkel's plans by the local glazier Baxmann. The baroque organ, destroyed in the tower collapse, was replaced in 1834 by an organ from Carl August Buchholz, which remained until 1945 with minor modifications by the W. Sauer company in 1922.

Destruction and Reconstruction

During World War II, the stained glass windows were removed for protection and stored in various locations, eventually ending up in the New Palace in Potsdam. The church itself was heavily damaged during the destruction of Frankfurt's city center in April 1945, leaving it in ruins.

In the post-war period, the church underwent several emergency stabilizations, but significant reconstruction efforts began only after the reunification of Germany. In 1990, a church support association was founded to restore the building. By 1998, the main roofs over the choir and nave were reconstructed, featuring the largest wooden roof truss built in the 20th century, standing 21 meters tall. The north tower's restoration, including the original color façade, was completed, revealing unexpected pigment discoveries.

The Return of the Stained Glass Windows

The stained glass windows' journey continued after the war, with their whereabouts unknown until a hint emerged in 1991 from a Russian art historian. Subsequent negotiations led to the return of 111 panels from the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in 2002. The final six panels were returned in 2008, and by February 2009, the fully restored windows were once again on display in St. Mary's Church.

A Modern-Day Cultural Hub

Today, St. Mary's Church is not only a place of worship but also a socio-cultural center and a symbol of the city's resilience. It hosts various cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions, drawing visitors from around the world. The church's rich history, architectural splendor, and the captivating stories of its stained glass windows make it a must-visit destination in Frankfurt (Oder).

As you wander through the hallowed halls of St. Mary's Church, take a moment to reflect on the centuries of history that have unfolded within its walls. From its medieval beginnings to its modern-day revival, this iconic structure stands as a beacon of faith, culture, and community, inviting all who enter to experience its timeless beauty and enduring legacy.