Hidden, behind lots of green, lies the smallest church
on the island Fehmarn, The St. John’s church in Bannesdorf. The layout plan
was interpreted after the cathedral ‘Dom in Ratzeburg’. The
field-stone structure
dates
back to the middle of the 13th century, the exact year of
construction is not known; but has been mentioned for the first time in 1359.
The wooden bell tower dates back to 1701. In the year of 1927 this structure was
greatly damaged during a massive fire in the village. Today it stands in it’s
old splendor. In the interior of the church are exceptionally remarkable to view
the rococo altar ‘Rokoko Altar’,by: J. H. Mittelhäuser in the year
of 1711. The center painting shows the group at the cross (after 1890) by:
Pfannenschmidt in a late rococo frame, and an upwardly curved attachment
[center piece], with the eye of the Lord and statues of [small angels] on the
side. The altar is now situated at the
southern side of the church, the
original altar painting, (oil on canvas, 188 x 86), also with a
group beneath the cross of Jesus, has now a special place. On the southern wall
the Epitaph of Hans Röpke, who donated a “St. John’s sermon”, at which
[up til 1850 all eligible voters of that church district participated, because
the Innkeeper ‘Krüger’ in Bannesdorf offered to contribute a ton of
beer for the occasion. The Romanesque limestone baptismal fountain (2nd
quarter of the 13th century), goblet shaped with arched trimming at
the bowl or chalice “Kuppa”[anglo saxon], it came from the Danish island of
“Gotland”. A presently existing silver communion chalice shows the Judgement
from Paris "Urteil von Paris", it was purchased in 1782 for the amount
of 210 Mark. Especially worthwhile is the old collection-bag
“Klingelbeutel”! The sides are decorated with remnants of late
Gothic mural decoration. Very special are the high pews [for the most honored],
dating back to 1511, the only ones existing in the German speaking lands. These
are private church pews, which did not belong to nobility as was otherwise
customary.
In the tower hangs the fourth oldest church bell of
Schleswig-Holstein. For the people the church used to be a protecting sanctuary
during catastrophic periods. Now it is a place of tranquility and meditation.
This is what the church is still to this day.
The FEHMARN GENEALOGY Site
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