Dom St. Nikolai Greifswald: History

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Extracts from the History of St. Nicholas in Greifswald

1199	Establishment of Eldena monastery by monks from Dargun.
1241	Eldena Monastery is granted the right to build a market, probably later Greifswald.
14.5.1250	Greifswald is granted town status under Lübeck law.
about 1263	First mention of Nicholas Church in Rostock city records.
1278	First mention of Greifswald as member of Hanseatic league.
14.th C.	Additional building of tower, completed with octagon in early 15th C.
1310-1363	Hanseatic gatherings in Greifswald.
early 15th C.	Rebuilding of choir.
from 1411	Donations in the completed chapels of the side aisles and extensive reshaping of nave as a basilica.
after 1410	Gothic wall paintings in the choir (frescos).
1440	Casting of „prayer and professors‘ bell" with engravings of St Nicholas.
14.10.1456	Foundation ceremony of university in St Nicholas Church with bishop, ruling prince and Heinrich Rubenow, mayor of Greifswald and founder of the university.
5.7.1457	Establishment of cathedral chapter. Patronage of Eldena monastery passes to university. St. Nicholas Church becomes collegiate church with the title of cathedral.
1460	Rubenow tablet made (right of entrance, chapel XIV).
11.3.1515	Collapse of 60m high spire from the 120 m tower during a north-west storm with severe damage to the nave.
16.7.1531	First protestant sermon (on Mat. 5,20-26) in St Nicholas by Johann Knipstro from Stralsund.
1534-35	Reformation introduced in Pomerania by the regional parliament of Treptow and general church visitation by Johannes Bugenhagen.
13.2.1650	Spire rebuilt on tower from 1604 onwards collapses again; central nave and southern side aisle damaged.
1652-53	Construction of present spire (total height 99,97 m) in Dutch baroque style (264 steps up to viewing platform)
from 1648	End of the 30 years war.
until 1815	Greifswald was part of Swedish West Pomerania.
1659/1678	Siege by troops from Brandenburg.
1710	First white washing of Gothic wall paintings (where still in existence after damage by the falling spire); this gave the church its almost monochrome appearance.
Aug. 1712	Visit by Czar Peter the Great to Greifswald including visit to all churches and the university.
1703-1720	Construction of baroque screens (confessional chapels).
7.9.1774	Caspar David Friedrich baptised in the cathedral.
1824-1833	Interior restoration in romantic style by the painter and architect Christoph Gottlieb Giese (1787-1838) and the cabinet-maker Christian Friedrich, brother of C.D. Friedrich. Christian Friedrich made the choir panels, altar, altar surround, pulpit, font, stalls, and the organ casing and gallery.
1881	Installation of the three east windows with stained glass. The centre window showed Christ at the top in the tracery circle, the last supper below and then the four evangelists (under restoration). The two outer windows were purely ornamental.
10.11.1883	For the 400th birthday of Martin Luther, the citizens of Greifswald donated the Reformation window, restored in 1995 (chapel XVI).
1942-1948	All art works and cultural treasures removed for storage.
29.4.1945	Surrender of Greifswald without resistance to the Red Army, thanks so the courageous commitment of important Greifswald personalities; hence, the town and churches were not damaged.
5.1.1947	Bishop‘s see established in Greifswald; St Nicholas regains the title of cathedral. The consistory (church authorities) were moved from Szczecin to Greifswald.
1977-1981	Exterior restoration of cathedral.
from 1982	Interior restoration under Prof. Friedhelm Grundmann, Hamburg. The floor was covered with 355 gravestones; now markedly different. In the course of this redesign, installation of the music podium and main entrance moved to the south side.
31.10.1985	Dedication of central altar (Gotland limestone) as new liturgical centre. Symbols around base: east - boat with mast (damaged cross); south - Luther rose; west - harp and angel‘s wings; north - fish, cloud, water and flowers.
12.3.1988	Dedication of new, purely mechanical organ in old organ case including parts of the old Buchholz organ.
10.6.1989	Unveiling of crucifix of tin coated bronze (Prof. H. Kock).
11.6.1989	Rededication of St Nicholas Cathedral, shown live on GDR television.
18.10.1989	Start of „prayers for peace“ followed by demonstrations.
31.1.1999	After welding a crack in the crown, the prayer and professors‘ bell is rung again after 20 years of silence.

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