St. Johannis Church
Description
St. Johannis Church was founded by Lothar III in 1130 and completed in 1140 as part of a collegiate foundation on the site of Süpplingenburg Castle, once owned by Count Gebhard of Haldensleben. Only the eastern parts of the original Romanesque church remain. The former grand westwork was dismantled in the Middle Ages; its foundations were uncovered during excavations in the 1960s. In 2003, the Order House of St. John was founded next to the church and became a Commandery in 2008.
Architecture
St. Johannis is a Romanesque cruciform basilica with a three-bay nave, transept with apses, and a rectangular choir. Around 1200, the choir received a rib vault, raising its walls. A rood screen separates it from the nave. Alternating pillars and columns support the nave, whose current form dates to the mid-13th century. Above the crossing is a roof turret with a bell. The interior was remodeled in the 13th century; arcades divide the nave and side aisles. From 1878 to 1883, the church was painted by Adolf Quensen, and the north aisle was rebuilt on a new foundation. The sacristy was added in 1884.
Features
Modern additions include stained glass, altar cross, choir screen, and font by Claus Wallner. The original organ (1840) was replaced in 1893 by a Furtwängler & Hammer organ, later lost due to poor storage. It was replaced with an electronic organ. A winter chapel was added under the gallery.
Address
Kaiser-Lothar-Straße 8A, Süpplingenburg, Germany
Established
1130-1140