St.-Laurentius, known locally as Landkirche St. Laurentius, stands as a beacon of history and architectural marvel in Achim, Niedersachsen, Germany. This ancient church, dedicated to Saint Lawrence of Rome, is the oldest and largest rural church between the former bishoprics of Bremen and Verden (Aller). Stepping into St.-Laurentius is like stepping back in time, with its storied past etched into every stone and beam.
The origins of St.-Laurentius are shrouded in mystery and legend. The church is believed to have been constructed on what was once a pagan cult site. The first documented mention of the church dates back to 1257, courtesy of the Bishop of Bremen, Gerhard II. However, there are compelling indications that the church is even older. An almost indecipherable consecration inscription found in the tower suggests that the church might have been built as early as 1091.
In 1559, Johann Meier became the first Protestant clergyman to serve in Achim, marking a significant religious transition. His appointment was supported by the Catholic cathedral chapter member Johann von Ahlden, reflecting the complex religious dynamics of the era.
The original structure of St.-Laurentius was a Romanesque fieldstone building. Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous expansions and modifications. The original split boulder masonry is still visible in the tower and the south wall. Around 1300, the church was extended eastward, resulting in the nearly square choir and two unequal transept arms with hipped roofs. The larger southern arm features a fan-shaped rib vault, while the smaller northern arm and the crossing have pointed arch rib vaults with delicate ribbon ribs. The nave was vaulted in the 14th century, although these vaults were replaced in the late 17th century.
The church's east gable has been raised twice, as evidenced by old roof edges. The first roof had a slightly lower pitch than the current one, and its edge ran just above the blind arches from the same construction phase. Later, the church received a stepped gable, although the lower steps have since disappeared due to subsequent repairs. The current roof edges run above the corners of the stepped gable.
Since 1706, a clock with a gilded dial has adorned the north side of the tower. Additionally, a sundial from 1603 is mounted on the southern facade of the Clüver Chapel.
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The north wing of the church, known as the Mandelsloh Chapel, is named after a prominent local family. This chapel houses marble sarcophagi containing the remains of Danish Secret Conference Councilor Detlef Conrad von Reventlow and his wife Veronica Marg. Clementine, née von Klinkowström. Originally, these sarcophagi were located in a crypt beneath the Clüver Chapel. The west wall of the Mandelsloh Chapel features the gravestone of Hinrich Clüver, who died in 1551.
The southern transept, known as the Clüver Chapel, and the apsidal extension to the east, known as the Lazarus Chapel, contain old tombstones belonging to the Clüver and Mandelsloh families. The wall epitaph in the Lazarus Chapel, a memorial stone for the Clüver family, depicts a crucifixion and a resurrection scene. The actual gravestone, located on the right side of the chapel, features the Clüver family crest, which served as a template for the Achim city coat of arms in the 20th century.
Since 1967, a statue of Saint Lawrence, the patron saint of the Achim church, has been housed in a wall niche in the Clüver Chapel. This red-gold robed statue is a work from southern Germany dating back to around 1700.
The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) was a tumultuous period for Achim, resulting in the destruction of the entire town, including the interior of St.-Laurentius. The church's interior was completely gutted, and the outer walls had to be reinforced with buttresses to make the building safe for worship again.
Over the years, the church's interior has seen numerous changes. The most recent major renovation occurred in the 1960s, during which the interior was entirely refurbished, and the galleries were removed.
The original altar was likely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. In 1671/72, Ortgies Melchior von der Lieth, Lord of Mandelsenborstel, donated a new altarpiece, whose whereabouts are unknown. The current altar, created by Verden sculptor Arend Meyer in 1750, features ornate gold and ivory-colored side volutes. The depiction of the crucifixion shows Christ's legs positioned parallel, a style that had become uncommon by that time. The altar's pinnacle is adorned with playful putti and a Christ holding a victory banner. Colonel Friedrich Florenz von Weddig, Lord of Mandelsenborstel, donated the altar, securing a family burial site near the tower.
The baroque pulpit, adorned with images of the Evangelists, dates back to 1637, following the destruction of the church's interior during the Thirty Years' War. It was donated by Dirich Clüver, a gohgraaf (a local judicial officer) in Achim.
The late Romanesque stone baptismal font from the 13th century is the oldest piece of the church's interior. Its ornamentation and design are similar to the font in Verden Cathedral. The bronze lid of the font depicts the story of creation. The font was temporarily used as a secular water basin in front of the sexton's house, given to the Oyter church in 1861, and returned to Achim in 1939. In 1955, the font received a bronze lid depicting the creation story and an enamel baptismal bowl.
St.-Laurentius has a rich musical heritage. In 1576, the church records mention an organ, and in 1597, a new organ was installed by Matthias Mahn from Buxtehude. However, this organ, like the rest of the church's interior, was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. The organ pipes were melted down to make bullets.
In the late 17th century, the church's flat ceiling was replaced with a vault, and funds were raised for a new organ. The renowned organ builder Arp Schnitger was commissioned to build a new organ with 24 stops, which was completed in 1699. This organ was praised for its quality and sound.
However, by the second half of the 19th century, the Schnitger organ had deteriorated, and a new organ was commissioned from Friedrich Becker & Sohn in Hannover. This organ, installed in 1888, was the first in the province of Hannover to feature a pneumatic action system, but it proved to be unreliable.
In 1906/07, another new organ was installed by Furtwängler and Hammer, but it too failed to meet expectations. During the 1960s renovation, a new slider chest organ was installed by Hermann Hillebrand from Altwarmbüchen, and it was inaugurated on February 26, 1967. This organ, with 26 stops, is based on the design of the famous Arp Schnitger organ.
In conclusion, St.-Laurentius is not just a church but a testament to the resilience and enduring faith of the Achim community. Its walls have witnessed centuries of history, from pagan rituals to Protestant reforms, from war-time destruction to peaceful worship. A visit to St.-Laurentius is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Achim's past and a serene space for reflection and reverence.
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