In the enchanting town of Templin, located in the heart of Brandenburg, Germany, stands the magnificent Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche. This evangelical parish church, nestled within the historic city center, is a beacon of architectural splendor and historical depth. As you stroll through the charming streets of Templin, the church's towering spire and elegant façade beckon visitors to explore its rich past and serene beauty.
The story of Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche is one of resilience and rebirth. The earliest church on this site dates back to the 13th century, constructed from fieldstones. However, it met a fiery end in 1492. A new church rose from the ashes, only to be replaced again in 1530 and subsequently in 1618. The Reformation reached Templin in 1539, and the church, previously known as St. Mary's Church, was rechristened as Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche.
Disaster struck once more on August 24, 1735, when a devastating fire reduced the church to ruins, sparing only the stump of the tower and the sacristy. The sacristy, a relic from the 15th century, boasts a five-part ribbed vault and houses intricately carved furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. These remnants served as the foundation for the church we see today.
The current Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche, a three-nave brick hall church, was designed by the Berlin architect K. S. Schmidt and inaugurated in 1749. The construction incorporated remnants of the previous structures, including the fieldstone base. The church's tower, a striking feature, was completed in 1751.
The church's exterior is a harmonious blend of baroque and gothic elements. The façade is adorned with large round-arched windows and prominent keystones, framed by flat bands and recessed panels. The north side of the choir features buttresses, while the south side boasts a grand portal niche, flanked by pilasters and topped with a segmental arch and an inscription plaque. Above the portal, a round-arched window is set against a grooved niche background.
The 70-meter-high tower is a marvel of architectural design. Its lower section is rectangular, transitioning to a square plan in the upper, plastered stories. A rusticated intermediate story with sloping walls creates a tapering effect, accentuated by circular windows. The tower's upper story features rounded corners framed by pilasters, culminating in a balustrade. The second upper story, recessed and almost octagonal, is crowned with a lantern and a pointed spire.
Stepping inside Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche, visitors are greeted by a serene and spacious interior, characterized by a beamed ceiling supported by square pillars with flat rectangular templates. Pilasters on flat backings adorn the outer walls, adding to the church's elegant simplicity.
The choir, with its angled pillars and three-sided interior, is surrounded by a hexagonal ambulatory. This layout and the pillar arrangement are believed to have been influenced by the 15th-century predecessor. A continuous gallery, added during a late-classical interior renovation in 1877-1878, runs along the west side and the aisles, offering a vantage point to appreciate the church's grandeur.
One of the church's treasures is an iron offering box with elaborate fittings, dating back to 1748. The church's interior underwent restoration in 1963, while the façade was refurbished between 1995 and 1998. Notably, on May 3, 1970, the future German Chancellor Angela Merkel was confirmed in this very church.
The church's vestibule features memorial plaques and a commemorative wall honoring Templin's fallen from various conflicts, ranging from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 to World War II.
Music lovers will be enchanted by the church's rich musical heritage. The organ loft houses a rococo-style organ case from the original baroque organ by Gottlieb Scholtze, built in 1769. A new organ was installed in 1855 by the Berlin organ builder Carl August Buchholz, and in 1921, the Dresden firm Jehmlich crafted a new three-manual organ within the old case, reflecting the organ movement's spirit of the time.
In 1994, a new Schuke organ was acquired through donations, replacing the Jehmlich organ, except for some reused wooden pipes. This organ boasts three manuals and a pedal, playing 38 sounding stops on fully mechanical slider chests, with six normal couplers, two tremulants, and a cymbal star with two suns.
In 2014, a choir organ from Torquay replaced a series positive by Fa. Sauer in the altar area. Built by George Osmond in 1940, this organ features one manual with six stops, four of which are in a swell box.
Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche is not just a historical monument but a living testament to Templin's enduring spirit. Its walls echo the stories of centuries past, while its serene ambiance offers a place for reflection and reverence. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, a visit to Maria-Magdalenen-Kirche is a journey through time and a celebration of resilience and faith.
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