St.-Petri-Kirche

The St.-Petri-Kirche, known locally as St. Petri, is a striking example of Gothic brick architecture nestled in the charming town of Buxtehude, Niedersachsen, Germany. This evangelical church not only dominates the skyline with its impressive neo-Gothic tower but also offers a rich tapestry of history and artistic heritage that beckons visitors from near and far.

The History of St.-Petri-Kirche

St.-Petri-Kirche’s origins date back to the late 13th century. The current structure replaced an earlier church, with the cornerstone for the new building being laid in 1285. However, it wasn't until around 1320 that the church was completed. This magnificent basilica features a four-bay nave, a chancel bay with a slightly irregular five-sided apse, and a towering west tower that has undergone significant transformations over the centuries.

One of the most dramatic events in the church's history occurred in 1853 when a lightning strike destroyed the original tower. The tower was subsequently rebuilt according to the designs of J. Wimmel from Hamburg, featuring a new octagon and a pointed spire. Further renovations took place between 1898 and 1899 under the guidance of Karl Börgemann, who meticulously restored the side aisles, choir, bridal house, and sacristy, adhering closely to the original structure.

Architectural Marvels

The architectural significance of St.-Petri-Kirche lies in its rare use of the basilica form in Niedersachsen, combined with elements typical of the brick hall churches found in and around Hamburg and Lüneburg. The church’s central nave is supported by round pillars with cloverleaf-shaped service bundles, a design that echoes the pillars of the Elisabethkirche in Marburg and is also seen in the Marienkirche in Uelzen and St. John's Church in Lüneburg.

The six-part vaults of the central nave and the five-part vaults of the side aisles, coupled with two window axes per bay, were first introduced in the Magdeburg Cathedral around 1274. These architectural features were then adopted in brick form around 1320 in the St.-Petri-Kirche in Hamburg, the Stendal Cathedral, and other churches in the Altmark region. The west niche, which encompasses both the portal and the window in the tower hall, is a distinctive feature shared with the St.-Petri-Kirche in Hamburg.

Interior Splendors

Despite extensive renovations, the interior of St.-Petri-Kirche has largely retained its original character. A significant restoration took place between 1986 and 1990, which highlighted the church's architectural features. The walls of the central nave are divided into two almost equally high floors: the lower part features four wide-pointed arcades on robust round pillars, while the upper part, or clerestory, showcases a doubled number of axes, necessitating the six-part vaults over a single bay in the central nave.

The choir is adorned with a two-story wall structure, each with two rows of windows and blind arches. The rectangular side aisle bays are spanned by five-part vaults, with each bay featuring two window axes. Slender service bundles with a quatrefoil cross-section stand between the windows. The second bay on each side of the nave contains a pointed arch portal, with the southern portal boasting a neo-Gothic surround.

Artistic Treasures

The main piece of the church's furnishings is a tall Baroque altarpiece created in 1710 by the Hamburg master Hans Hinrich Römers. This two-story structure is adorned with paintings, figures, column framing, and acanthus ornamentation. Above the painting of the Last Supper in the base zone is a large central painting of the Nativity, and in the upper section, a full plastic crucifix is set against a painted landscape. The structure is crowned by the Resurrected Christ flanked by angels holding the instruments of the Passion, with statues of the four Evangelists standing beside the columns.

Another significant artistic treasure is the Halepaghen Altar in the northern side aisle, a late Gothic winged altar featuring painted Passion scenes named after its donor, Gerhard Halepaghe. The predella painting was overpainted in 1641 with an Adoration of the Magi and Shepherds, possibly preserving the medieval image underneath. The main panel depicts Christ carrying the cross, while the inner sides of the wings show the Flagellation and Crowning with Thorns on the right, and the Crucifixion and Entombment on the left. The outer sides are painted with life-sized depictions of Paul and Jerome. The kneeling clergyman next to Paul is considered a donor image of Gerhard Halepaghe, whose coat of arms and name inscription were attached to the now-lost stone altar table. The main panel and parts of the wing outer sides are attributed to the principal master named after this altar, possibly Wilm Dedeke, who worked in Lübeck before 1500, then in Hamburg, and around 1510 here in Buxtehude.

Other Notable Features

The splendid early Baroque pulpit from 1674 is crafted in robust, highly plastic forms and is supported by the half-figure of an Atlas. It features a bowl-shaped console adorned with winged cherub heads and carries statues of apostles between twisted columns on the basket's parapet and the staircase. The door to the pulpit staircase is framed by ornamented pilasters, above which is a gable-like top with cartilage work. The multi-tiered, richly decorated sound cover is adorned with cherubs holding the instruments of the Passion and shows a late Gothic figure of Christ from the early 16th century under a canopy framed by twisted columns. The sound cover is crowned by a statue of Christ with the victory flag from 1673/74.

Remnants of a medieval choir stall from around 1400 have been preserved, with the eastern end panels and some seats supplemented at the end of the 19th century. The western end panels feature figural reliefs under ogee arches, depicting seated prophet figures on the outside, the cross-bearing Christ and a priest with a chalice on the inside of the northern stall, and female saints on the end faces. Several carved stall ends from around 1500, around 1550, and dated 1545 and 1546 were reused in the new stalls. In the southern side aisle, there is a life-sized, well-shaped crucifix from around 1470, probably the former triumphal cross.

Conclusion

St.-Petri-Kirche is not just a place of worship; it is a repository of history and art that offers a glimpse into the past. From its Gothic architecture to its Baroque and Gothic furnishings, every corner of the church tells a story of devotion, artistry, and resilience. A visit to this magnificent church in Buxtehude is a journey through centuries of faith and culture, making it an unmissable destination for history enthusiasts and art lovers alike.