Retgendorf Village Church

Gothic Village Church in Retgendorf, Northwest Mecklenburg

The village church in Retgendorf is one of the oldest ecclesiastical monuments in the Dobin am See region of Northwest Mecklenburg. It was first mentioned in a document as early as 1241, making it one of the earliest documented sacred buildings in western Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. However, the current brick structure was not built until the 15th century and is thus a typical example of North German brick Gothic architecture, as found in cities such as Wismar, Rostock, and Stralsund.

Three-part winged altar and art-historical significance

Inside the church is a three-panel carved winged altar—a masterpiece of craftsmanship that may surprise visitors to this seemingly simple village church. Such winged altars are rarely so well-preserved in Mecklenburg’s medieval church landscape. The church belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Zittow-Retgendorf.

Restorations and Preservation of the Retgendorf Brick Church

Over the centuries, the Retgendorf village church has been renovated several times: The first repairs took place in the 18th and 19th centuries, extensive restorations were carried out in the 1960s, and the facade and windows were renewed in the 1980s. The church bell was cast in 1939 and has been preserved to this day.