St. Martin

Why did the Cistercian nuns of Mariengarten Convent need a church? Because even nuns need a place to pray! Right here before you stands St. Martin’s Church. It served the sisters of the adjoining Mariengarten Convent for centuries. St. Martin’s Church has a long and fascinating history, going back to its first documented mention as a parish church in 1265. Some believe a church existed on this very spot even earlier, in the 11th century. St. Martin’s Church may have even served as a hospital church for Franciscan friars in the 13th century, though there is no real proof. From 1311, St. Martin’s dual role began. It was a parish church, and it also became the church for the Cistercian convent next door, Mariengarten, meaning “Mary’s Garden”. After the convent dissolved in 1819, St. Martin’s continued its service as the place of worship for the Catholic parish. Look closely at the Gothic tower. This is the oldest part of St. Martin’s. Inside, a bell cast in 1419 still rings today. Tragically, in 1472, a fire ravaged the church and convent, leaving only the tower standing. The church was rebuilt by 1483. Look for the Gothic windows in the choir, the old sacristy entrance, and the sacrament house. These are remnants of that reconstruction. On the west side of St. Martin’s, you’ll find a four-winged, two-story cloister, also of Gothic origin, rebuilt between 1726 and 1736. It later served a less holy purpose as Prussian military barracks. See that Baroque sandstone sculpture of Mary and Child at the southeast corner? A testament to the artistry within. Even during the tumultuous Thirty Years’ War, St. Martin’s persevered. Though plundered and temporarily abandoned by the nuns, the convent and church were eventually restored. The Baroque reconstruction of St. Martin’s happened thanks to a generous donation from Suffragan Bishop Johann Friedrich von Lasser, between 1755 and 1758. He even consecrated the church himself on August 6, 1758. The church’s Baroque exterior stands in interesting contrast to the Rococo style of the interior. Inside St. Martin’s, you’ll find sacred art from the 15th and 17th centuries. The barrel vault, portals, windows, the image of the Annunciation, the Stations of the Cross, the pulpit, and especially the high altar, all showcase incredible craftsmanship. St. Martin’s even boasts two pipe organs: a main organ and a smaller choir organ. Two old bells, one from 1419 and another from 1590, still hang in the tower. The 1419 bell has rare, historically significant carvings. St. Martin’s was lovingly restored in 2001 and 2002. Along with the former nunnery next door, St. Martin’s stands as a beautiful testament to resilience, artistry, and faith.