Holy Cross church Spremberg

Holy Cross Church Spremberg, known locally as Kreuzkirche Spremberg, stands as a testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of the town of Spremberg in Brandenburg, Germany. This remarkable church, with its striking brick architecture and towering presence, invites visitors to explore its storied past and intricate design.

The History of Holy Cross Church Spremberg

The origins of Holy Cross Church Spremberg date back to the late 15th century. This late Gothic hall church, constructed primarily of brick, is believed to have been built in the second half of the 15th century. The church's history is marked by significant events and renovations that have shaped its current form. Notably, a date inscribed on a buttress in the altar area, 1509, likely marks the year the church was vaulted.

The church's square tower, which may have originated from an earlier structure, was built in the early 14th century and expanded around 1400 with a northeastern stair tower. This tower now forms an integral part of the church's interior, adding to its unique architectural charm.

Holy Cross Church Spremberg has endured its share of tribulations. On August 21, 1604, a devastating town fire severely damaged the church. However, it was meticulously restored in the late 19th century under the guidance of architect Ludwig Dihm. The lower tower room was transformed into a baptismal chapel in 1898. The church underwent further renovations between 1997 and 2001, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

In a significant development, on January 1, 2024, the Kreuzkirche congregation merged with the Resurrection and Michael congregations as well as the Klein Döbbern congregation to form the Perle der Lausitz congregation.

Architectural Marvels

Holy Cross Church Spremberg is a four-bay hall church, characterized by its late Gothic style with three-part pointed arch windows and slightly chamfered reveals. The exterior is adorned with stepped buttresses, lending an air of grandeur to the structure. The south wall of the church features two portals, one of which is decorated with a mosaic from 1899.

The tower, with its small pointed arch portal on the south side, is a prominent feature. The four upper tower floors are divided by slightly pointed arcades, and the top floor boasts flat arch sound openings on all sides. The original tower hood was destroyed by fire on June 30, 1705. During reconstruction in 1732, it was crowned with an octagonal turret, a double lantern, and a pointed helmet, topped with a tower ball and weather vane.

The west wall of the church, restored in 1897, features a stepped gable with arcades and a small porch with an entrance portal. The mosaic of Jesus Christ as Pantocrator, also found on one of the south portals, adds a touch of artistic splendor. The eastern section of the north wall houses a larger porch with a sacristy and a chapel, expanded with a stepped gable in 1897. The church's nave is covered with a gable roof adorned with bat dormers and clad in beaver tail tiles.

Inside, the central nave is slightly elevated, with pointed, triple-stepped arcades resting on octagonal pillars. The main nave is vaulted with star vaults, while the southern side nave features a net vault. The lower tower rooms are cross-rib vaulted, with ribs resting on high, profiled consoles. The upper floor, now used as an archive, has a simpler design with conical consoles. The sacristy is vaulted with a cell vault. The west gallery, with a short south and a long north wing, was added in 1897 or 1898.

Artistic Treasures

The interior of Holy Cross Church Spremberg is adorned with artistic treasures that reflect its rich history. The wooden altarpiece, dating back to 1660, features double columns with fittings and cartilage work, a painting of the Last Supper in the predella, and a crucifixion scene in the main field. Figures of the Evangelists Matthew and John flank the main field, while the donor coats of arms of Governor Seyfried von Kittlitz, adorned with vine ornaments, are found in the cheeks. The top is framed by putti and depicts a painting of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ between the Evangelists Mark and Luke.

In the southern side nave stands the old altarpiece from the village church of Jessen, demolished in 1972 for the Welzow-Süd opencast mine. This altarpiece also features a double column structure with fittings, a missing painting in the predella, a resurrection painting in the main field, and a depiction of the baptism of Jesus in the excerpt. The top is crowned with a pelican group. The altar was restored during its relocation.

The pulpit, with a sound cover, was built in the first half of the 1730s and features a polygonal basket with painted figures of Jesus Christ, the four Evangelists, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul. Originally, the basket also bore the donor coat of arms of the Dukes of Saxony-Merseburg.

The chalice-shaped baptismal font from the late 18th century is made of sandstone with a wooden lid and was installed in the church in 1832. The floating baptismal angel, donated in 1735, was restored in 2010 and 2011.

At the north wall of the church stands a ducal chair from around 1700. The gallery parapet, painted with scenes from the life of Christ, was added in 1898. Under the side gallery is the council pew from 1620, while the northern part of the chancel houses a three-part preacher's chair with carvings. A memorial stone for Pastor Johann Georg Zimpel († 1778) stands at the western pillar of the nave.

The Majestic Organ

The organ of Holy Cross Church Spremberg, built in 1898 by organ builder Wilhelm Sauer from Frankfurt (Oder), is a marvel of musical craftsmanship. It was restored between 1969 and 1971 by Ludwig Glöckner, during which the disposition was baroqued. The organ features a mechanical cone chest and Barker levers, with 30 registers on two manuals and the pedal. The disposition is as follows:

• Principal 8'
• Gedackt 8'
• Octave 4'
• Rohrflöte 4'
• Quinte 2 2/3'
• Octave 2'
• Mixture 3f
• Trompete 8'

Holy Cross Church Spremberg is not just a place of worship; it is a living museum of art, history, and architecture. Its walls echo the stories of centuries past, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the rich cultural heritage of Spremberg. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to Holy Cross Church Spremberg is sure to leave a lasting impression.