Ever wondered why a piece of Westphalia stands here in Greifswald? The Propsteikirche St. Joseph tells a tale of faith and determination. It rises before us.
Back in 1869 Catholic students from Westphalia, the Rhineland, and Silesia initiated this church. They wanted a mission church to honor Pope Pius IX. Architect Hugo Schneider designed it. His neo-gothic brick building graces the edge of Greifswald’s old town.
Catholic professors and students from the University of Greifswald funded the church. Harvest workers from Poland also donated. They all helped build St. Joseph. In 1871 the church was blessed. Sermons were held in German and Polish.
Let me tell you about Alfons Maria Wachsmann. He was a pastor here from 1929 to 1943. Wachsmann opposed the Nazi regime. He called it a torture device of unfreedom. In 1943 he was arrested. The People’s Court condemned him to death. He was executed in 1944. Today his grave is a place of honor near St. Joseph.
Notice the architecture of St. Joseph. It features a transept and a polygonal choir. A west tower rises with a pointed spire. Figures of Jesus Christ adorn the western archway. Inside you will find cross-ribbed vaults. Baroque pilasters support them.
Much of the interior dates back to Wachsmann’s time. The tabernacle and cross remain. The altar bears the inscription Et iterum venturus est. An expressionistic figure of the risen Christ stands here. Martin Pautsch created the Stations of the Cross.
In 1992 St. Joseph became a provost church. It became a central point for Catholics. Georg Bengsch was the first provost. Since 2020 it is the parish church of St. Otto.
Pause for a moment and listen. Hear the three bells from the tower. The Marienglocke, the Josephs- and the Pius-Glocke. They still ring. They have rung since the beginning. The church got a new organ in 1986. It has 17 registers on two manuals and a pedal.
In 1999 St. Joseph underwent renovations. Workers installed a new heating system. They also renewed the floor. The altar area was slightly altered. The Propsteikirche St. Joseph stands as a symbol. It is a symbol of faith and resilience. It is a testament to community support.