The church of Steffenshagen - a branch church of the Cistercian monastery Althof/ Doberan (founded in 1171 or 1186) - is one of the largest and most stately village churches in Mecklenburg. The first documentary mention of the German settlement village Steffenshagen (Stephaneshagen) is found only in 1273. Image author: Chpagenkopf. Licensed under GNU Free Documentation License.
The church of Steffenshagen - a branch church of the Cistercian monastery Althof/ Doberan (founded in 1171 or 1186) - is one of the largest and most stately village churches in Mecklenburg. The first documentary mention of the German settlement village of Steffenshagen (Stephaneshagen) is found only in 1273. About 30 years earlier the choir (eastern part of the church) will have been consecrated. This and the three eastern bays of the three-nave nave are built in the Gothic style. Three more bays and the tower were rebuilt in the 19th century and consecrated in 1866. Ten molded brick bands with animal representations (griffin, lion, panther, tiger) and two vine friezes symbolize the pagan-demonic environment of that time, against which Christianity turned. As a kind of protection against this world, the twelve apostles stand on guard in the so-called priestly gate. Although the church and congregation has been among the poor through the centuries, it has some valuable exhibits. From 1965 to 1973 the church was renovated. During this time the rooms under the organ loft were also furnished. Here the congregation has space to hold services, community evenings and classes even in the cold season.Image author: Chpagenkopf. Licensed under GNU Free Documentation License.
