Ever notice the two prominent towers? They are the oldest parts of Sankt Mauritz. This church has stood for nearly a thousand years. Let’s delve into its story.
Sankt Mauritz’s history begins with Bishop Friedrich I. He established Stift St. Mauritz. That was between 1064 and 1084. The two east towers are all that remain of the first church.
An analysis of wood from the northern tower dates it to 1068. The west tower and Erpho Chapel came later. They were built in the 12th century. The chapel joins the tower with a clear seam. This shows it was built later.
Originally, Sankt Mauritz had a Romanesque nave. It had only one section. This was torn down in the 19th century. The original chancel was square. It had a semicircular apse. In the 15th century, the current chancel replaced it.
Propst Heinrich Franzoys is credited with the Gothic chancel’s construction. This was between 1440 and 1471. Its walls incorporate parts of the Romanesque predecessor. The new building was consecrated in 1476. A Gothic sacristy was built later.
Emil von Manger designed the basilica-style nave. It was built from 1859 to 1861. This was in the neo-Romanesque style. The central nave’s vaults are interesting. They use pointed Gothic ribs, not Romanesque arches. This matches the Gothic chancel.
With the current paint, Sankt Mauritz gives a unified impression. Old photos show the church’s original colorful paint. Some windows in the Erpho Chapel’s plaster also hint at it.
Inside the chancel is an altar painting from 1664. It depicts a crucifixion in Flemish style. The founder Propst Arnold von Vittinghoff is on the left. Hermann tom Ring painted another crucifixion scene in 1547. Mary and John stand near the cross. Peter and Heinrich Bischopink are at the front. They stand with their patron saints.
There is a wooden panel with 16 reliefs. They show scenes from the Passion. These are in shallow arched niches. The epitaph of Johann Schencking shows the Madonna. Angels surround her. The Apostle Andrew is present. So is Saint Mauritz.
H. Fleige created the twelve apostles on the vault. This was shortly before 1870. They are in the neo-Gothic style.
In the nave is a neo-Romanesque baptismal font. Hertel designed it in 1873. An epitaph likely honors Hermann Dachmann. It shows Christ as the Man of Sorrows. Mary, John, God the Father, and angels are also present.
Wilhelm Achtermann created a Madonna with Child in 1861. He was a prominent member of the Nazarene movement. Wilhelm Rincklake designed the organ case in 1882. Marianne Wagener painted the figures. Epitaphs honor Philipp Friedrich von Twist and Franz Wilhelm Mensing.
The floor marks the grave of Bishop Friedrich I.
In the south aisle’s vestibule is a statue of Saint Joseph. Stracke created it in 1866. The epitaph of Christoph Beming is also here.
The Erpho Chapel holds the tomb of Bishop Friedrich I von Wettin. Johann Reining created it in 1576. It replaced a tomb destroyed by Anabaptists. The tomb was moved after the nave’s reconstruction. The Erpho Chapel also holds the tomb of Bishop Erpho. It was created in 1620. Epitaphs honor Johann Beiholt and Bertold Bischopink.
Outside, an inscription honors Maria Hannamann. A sandstone crucifixion group dates to around 1630. It is attributed to Gerhard Gröninger. A niche holds a Madonna. The original from 1500 is in the parish house.
The oldest artworks are sandstone reliefs. They depict knight saints and holy women. These were placed on the east towers around 1070. Only three reliefs are original. They are in the State Museum. The reliefs on the towers are copies.
Sankt Mauritz has changed over centuries. It blends Romanesque, Gothic, and neo-Romanesque styles. This gives it a unique character. Its art and architecture reflect Münster’s history. They also celebrate faith. Sankt Mauritz stands as a testament. It is a testament to time and devotion.