St. Nicholas' Church

The construction of the church for Saint Nicholas, the patron of sailors, fishermen and merchants, commenced around 1280, predating the first written sources that mention Anklam, which generally date to around 1300. The church's steeple was clearly visible from far away, and was once used for navigation of the lagoon near the town. During the Middle Ages, the church was regarded as a symbol of Anklam and as a monument to the freedom and wealth enjoyed by Hanseatic citizens. In 1336, one of Anklamer’s citizens, Thedericus Nordow, financed the construction of an altar. The construction of the church is believed to have been completed around 1500 with the installation of ornamented choir banks; architect Lorenz Bole completed further extensive work in 1568. A lightning strike damaged the tower in 1574; subsequent damage occurred during a storm in 1586 and as a consequence copper plates were installed on the roof to prevent a repeat of the strike.

In 1606, the decorated benches designed for the use of coopers and other guild members were installed. Between 1696 and 1700 all the construction and repair work was finished. In 1733, a further storm destroyed the church steeple, which observers in 1703 had described as already crooked. After further storm damage the church was equipped with a lightening conductor in 1802. In December 1806, the church was used by the French army as a saddle workshop during the Napoleonic Wars. On 10 January 1807, new Buchholtz/Berlin organs were consecrated. In 1816, the church was again set on fire after lightning strike and the steeple's peak was reconstructed in 1817. In 1850, Kaltschmidt, an organ builder from Stettin, constructed new organs in the newly installed organ choir in line with the drawings of the royal construction master, Märtens. Bishop D. Ritschl consecrated the organs in 1851. After one-storey chapels had been removed in 1868, the construction inspector, Butterkirch, renovated St. Nicholas' organ gallery. The church was then equipped with vault ribbing for the windows and cornice as well as ornamented benches. In 1906 the church received colourful stained-glass windows in the choir area, new organs and ornamented benches, and the walls were repainted. The renovated church was re-consecrated on 23 April 1909.

The church was severely damaged again during the Second World War and citizens feared the risk of total collapse. In 1994, the St. Nicholas' Church Association was established in order to support reconstruction of the church. In 1995, the church was crowned with a temporary roof, an important step which enabled the church to again be used on occassion.

References:

• European Route of Brick Gothic

Address

Brüderstraße, Anklam, Germany

Details

Founded: c. 1280
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Habsburg Dynasty (Germany)