Is it possible that this unassuming Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow holds stories dating back centuries? The Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow is part of the church community in Biestow. Biestow is a district in Rostock. This community has a rich history.
Let’s step back in time. The village of Biestow was first mentioned in 1282. A parish and a priest were also mentioned. The current church building was consecrated on October 28 1298. In 1499 Bishop Konrad Loste confirmed the affiliation of the Biestow Church to St. Jakobi in Rostock. The church became a subsidiary church of St. Jakobi.
After the Reformation, the church became state property in 1571. This happened with the transfer of ownership from the cathedral chapter to the ducal consistory. The church was renovated in 1785. Another renovation took place from 1859 to 1863. The north and south portals were bricked up. The altar and pews were renewed. An organ was installed. The solemn re-consecration took place on November 29 1863. Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II attended. The former wooden church tower was replaced. A 48-meter-high brick tower was erected in 1912.
Since the 1980s, there have been several renovations to the Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow. Leaded windows were renewed in 1988. The church roof was re-covered in 1992. The organ was overhauled in 1993. The altar area was redesigned in 1998. Interior renovation began in 2000. Wall paintings from the 16th century were discovered. The four archangels were made visible again in their original colors.
The church was built mainly from field stones. This happened in the second half of the 13th century. The architectural style is between Romanesque and Gothic. Brick was used in the gables and window reveals. The church nave has a flat wooden ceiling. Two round pillars divide it into three naves. The chancel is raised by one step. It is closed by a dome-like vault. A pointed triumphal arch separates it from the nave.
Inside the Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow, the triumphal cross is impressive. The carved figures of Mary and John date back to the 15th century. A wooden crucifix from 1420 once hung on the east gable. It was restored and hung on the altar in 1998. A copy was placed on the gable. Two pastor portraits from 1715 and 1747 hang in the church. The organ was built by Friedrich Friese III in 1870. It has eleven registers on two manuals and pedal. The Wegscheider organ workshop restored it in 2021.
Three silver-gilded chalices with patens are part of the furnishings. They date from 1654, 1657, and the third quarter of the 17th century. There is also a silver box and a silver spoon from the 18th century. Six gravestones are preserved. Two are from the 15th century. The others are from the 17th and 19th centuries.
The Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow and its church connect the past and present. They offer a place for reflection and community. The Gemeinderaum der Kirchengemeinde Biestow stands as a testament to faith. It also reflects the enduring spirit of Biestow.