Church in Bad Zwischenahn

The church is situated at the brink, the churchyard of which reaches the bank of the Zwischenahner Meer. Its origins provably go back to the end of the 12th century. At first, the gate tower attracts attention, lodging the bells. It was built in 1469. But initially, the flat-roofed western part of the nave was built from nearly untreated granite stone. During the 13th century, the imposing Romantic tower was added; the nave was constructed higher with bricks and was treated to a vaulted ceiling. The eastern part and the rectangular choir of the building were built in the early 15th century in Gothic style, as suggested by the pointed arch windows and the ascending pointed arch blinds in the tympanum of the choir.

Cruciform rib-vaults with decorative paintings in the transverse arches span the nave, in the choir vault you'll find a very lively “Last Judgment” painting from 1512, discovered and restored in 1904. In the centre Christ is enthroned on a rainbow as the world’s judge, surrounded by angels with trumpets, hailing his return. At his side, Mary and John the Baptist are praying for those rising from the dead. On the right side of Christ, the blessed are ascending to Peter at heaven’s gate, while the damned on his left are pulled and pushed into hell by demons. Among the rich inventory of the church – for example a pulpit from 1653 (see St. Nikolai church at Edewecht), the 1662 northern gallery with scenes painted according to the Merian Bible from 1745 – the very high quality carved altar in particular should be mentioned, stemming from the “master school of Osnabrück” (see St. Nikolai church at Edewecht). That is the provisional name a group of wood-carvers was given around 1900. The group was active around early 16th century; their work is mainly found in the region of Osnabrück.

This altar was built around the year 1525. It shows a crucifixion scene with many figures and twelve stations from the passion of Christ. In the predella, are the twelve Apostles in groups of three, presented in very lively manner. Until 1774, in the centre there was a Virgin and child with St. Anna-group which was later replaced by a figure of Jesus. On the outsides of the altar you can see Gothic table painting examples. One of the tables displays the adoration of the Kings, another one the banquet of Herodes. The classic organ folder from 1831 has an organ made in 1973 by Detlef Kleuker, Brackwede/Westphalia.

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Address
Ev.-luth. Kirchenbüro
Lange Str. 6
26160 Bad Zwischenahn
Tel 0 44 03 / 9 37 60
Fax 0 44 03 / 93 76 15

E-Mail
theuerkauff@ev-kirche-zwischenahn.de

Internet
www.ev-kirche-zwischenahn.de