St. Katharine church
St. Katharine church is the oldest existing parish church in Danzig. The construction works was started in 1227 and in 14th and 15th century the church was built up. The construction works of church tower was started in 1450 and was elevated after Teutonic Order was expelled from the city. The works was finaly finished in 1634, when the tower was covered by baroque helmet made by Jakub van den Blocke. In 1555 the church was overtaken by protestants. In 1738 the carillion was installed on the tower.
St. Katharine church on pre-war postcards.
) | View from the East. |
) | View from the West. |
) | View from South-West. |
) | The most popular picture with Great Mill and House of Millers' Guild. |
St. Katharine church on pre-war pictures.
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) | Sketch of the church. |
The church interion was decorated by many monumets of sacral art, there was also a tomb of famous astronomer Johann Hevelius in the church.
Interior of St. Katharine church.
) | Main nave with the group of Crucifixion from 1510. |
) | The great organ. |
) | The small organ. |
) | The small organ with picture "Entry of Christ to Jerusalem" by Milwitz. |
) | 17th century pulpit. |
) | Wooden baptismal font from 1585. |
On 3rd July 1905 the lightning stroke the church tower and started fire which completely destroyed tower helmet by van den Blocke. The burning fragments of the helmet started caused the fire of roof. The carillion was also destroyed by fire, temperature was so high that the bells of carillion melted and dropped down. These drops of melted metal was called "bronze tears of St. Katherine". These drops and pictures of burning church were sold to collect money for restauration of the destroyed tower.
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The tower was rebuilt and new carillion was installed in 1910. It was confiscated in 1942 by Nazi authorities.
The church was completely destroyed in March 1945. After the "liberation" Red Army soldiers started the fire and killed pastor Friedrich Reimer, who wanted to protect the church.
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Once again, on 22nd May 2006 fire completely destroyed roof of the church and damaged the tower.
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Based on "Danzig und seine Bauten", "Die Kirchen der Diözese Danzig" and "Das heutige Danzig"