Wondering about the secrets held within these old bricks? This is the Gristower Kirche. It is a testament to faith and resilience dating back to the 14th century.
Gristow itself translates to “place of baptism”. The Gristower Kirche likely had a predecessor. A historical baptismal font dates back to around 1250. It suggests early Christian roots.
Imagine Gristow as a key mainland possession of Rügen. It was Christianized by the Danish Kloster Roskilde. The baptismal font might have come from there. Similar pieces exist on Lolland. A gravestone at the church’s south side commemorates preacher Lobesteen who died in 1403. It also points to Roskilde.
The Gristower Kirche was generously sized due to Gristow’s princely seat. It was also significant as a trade route and toll station.
Disaster struck. Floods in 1298 and 1306 damaged the south and east walls. The church’s completion was delayed. The Gristower Wiek also formed after this time. Previously, only a small stream existed.
The floods disrupted trade routes. Gristow declined in importance. By 1396, it became a marginal community. The trade route shifted. Kowall became the new toll station.
Despite setbacks, construction continued. The Gristower Kirche was likely completed around 1359. The roof beams were cut in 1358. The planned vaults never materialized. The church was put into service with a simple flat ceiling.
The Lords of Gristow sold land to Greifswald. Greifswald then took over patronage of the church. Later, the patronage shifted to the University of Greifswald. The university eventually returned it to Greifswald’s magistrate.
The Gristower Kirche gradually acquired rich furnishings. There was once a large Gothic winged altar. It featured 40 gilded figures. A later Baroque altar also existed. Three sculptures from it survive in Berlin and Greifswald. A life-sized triumphal cross group stood here. The crucified Christ is now in Greifswald’s Marienkirche. Mary and John are in the Theological Faculty’s collection. The Gristower Kirche also had an organ. By 1780, it was already considered poor.
A small wooden tower housed three bells. Two were damaged in the Thirty Years’ War. They became unusable. Around 1695, the damaged wooden tower was torn down. A bell frame was erected in the churchyard. It housed two bells. One was still usable. A new bell was cast in 1703. In World War I, the Reichskriegsministerium seized the latter. In the late 19th century, Voss in Stettin recast the smaller bell. This bell is still in use. In 1998, a new bell was cast in Lauchhammer. It rang in the year 1999 as the large bell.
In 1820, Johann Simon Buchholz of Berlin received the order to build a new organ.
Around 1790, the church roof was replaced. Pastor Philipp Michels began a complete renovation in 1854.
External work was carried out. In 1856 to 1858, the entire interior was renovated in the Neo-Gothic style.
Lightning had struck and burned down the parsonage in 1765. It was rebuilt in a makeshift manner. It was newly built with farm buildings elsewhere.
About 150 years later, further intervention in the building fabric was necessary. The stone tower rebuilt from 1839 to 1842 proved crucial.
Its spire had reached the end of its life. The wood deteriorated. The copper roofing was damaged. War and material shortages hindered proper repairs.
The association for the preservation of the Gristower Kirche was founded in 1996. Extensive safety and preservation measures were carried out.
The interior was adapted to modern needs. What could be preserved and restored was considered a bridge between past and present.
The Gristower Kirche is not a museum. It is a space of responsibility and remembrance. It serves as a place of silence and reflection. It is a place of worship. It is a point of communication.
Many light a candle of remembrance. Some light a candle of hope. Others light a candle of gratitude. Many climb the tower’s 141 steps. They enjoy the view over the Gristower Wiek. In good weather, you can see Greifswald and Rügen.