Gazing at this quaint building, did you know the Dorfkirche Börnicke is a testament to time? It stands as a proud, early Gothic fieldstone church. It is located in the Börnicke district of Bernau near Berlin.
This church is part of the Bernau parish. It falls under the Barnim church district. The Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia watches over it. You can visit it by appointment.
The Dorfkirche Börnicke has a rich history and unique architecture. It dates back to the second half of the 13th century. It features a fieldstone hall with a rectangular choir. A high west tower rises impressively. The tower boasts a saddle roof. Late Gothic brick gables with finials adorn it.
A southern sacristy, likely from the 14th century, adds to its charm. It merges with a 15th-century porch under one roof. A double-stepped pointed arch portal welcomes visitors on the west side. Other portals to the south and north have been walled up. The remaining openings have been widened with rounded arches. Three pointed arch blind arches decorate the east wall. The middle one is closed.
Inside the Dorfkirche Börnicke, you will find a unique space. In the 16th century, the interior was transformed. It became a two-aisled space with four cross-ribbed vaults. A round central pillar supports these vaults. A rectangular pillar sits under the triumphal arch. Consoles provide additional support.
The room underwent restoration in 1957. The choir vault was added during an 1883 restoration. A four-stepped flat arch door leads to the barrel-vaulted sacristy. The opening to the tower is closed except for a door.
The Dorfkirche Börnicke boasts a uniform neo-Romanesque design from 1883. It includes a wooden pulpit and a baptismal font. A west gallery, an organ, and pews add to the ambiance. The elders’ pew from 1679 stands out. It showcases painted half-figures of ten apostles. The remaining two apostles and sayings appear on the parapet panels. Such pews are rare in this region.
Liturgical vessels include a silver-gilt chalice with a paten from 1739. A bell was crafted around 1300. The organ, created by Albert Lang in 1883, features seven registers. These are spread across a manual and pedal.
Two artistically valuable altar wings originate from the retable. They came from the church in Knoblauch. This village was demolished in 1966 near Ketzin. They depict high-format images of Saints Jerome and Erasmus. These date back to around 1500. An inscription gravestone commemorates Louisa Lucia Sophia Bamihl who lived from 1734 to 1775. It is located in the south porch.
Outside on the tower’s south wall, you’ll discover gravestones. They honor Ernst and Marie von Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. They passed away in 1909 and 1906. The stones display relief decorations and coats of arms. A fieldstone wall with two putti flanks the entrance.
Today, the Dorfkirche Börnicke holds monthly services. These take place in the spring, summer, and autumn. In winter, services move to the community room. It is located at Ernst-Thälmannstraße 21. The parish is currently under the care of the St. Marien parish council. The Dorfkirche Börnicke stands as a testament to history and faith. Its doors are open.