St Adalbert's Church, Międzyrzecz

St Adalbert's Church on the market square in Międzyrzecz is one of the notable church designs of Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the most famous Prussian architect of the 19th century. The plain rendered building with a tall tower topped by a gilded cross was completed in 1834 as a Protestant church. Since 1947 it has served Catholics.

History

For centuries Protestants were the majority in Międzyrzecz (then Meseritz). From 1545 they used the parish church, and in the 17th and 18th centuries they built churches of their own, which burned one after another. After a fire in 1827 they decided to build in brick. The plans submitted to the Prussian Building Authority in 1828 were rejected, but construction had already begun – so Schinkel had to rework the design, and his changes were carried out from 1829. The main patron was King Frederick William III. Work was completed in 1834.

After the war and the expulsion of the German population, the church was taken over by Catholics. It was consecrated on 7 December 1947 and dedicated to St Adalbert, and in 1978 it became a parish church. Its furnishings were partly renewed in 1980–1990.

What to see

• The façade with a triangular pediment and a tower with two open stages and a sharp spire bearing a gilded cross. The walls repeat a rhythm of round-arched windows set in pairs, one above the other.
• The interior – a tall hall with a flat ceiling and galleries, typical of Schinkel's Protestant churches. It is closely related in type to St John's Church in Zittau.
• The high altar painting by Julius Hübner from 1835. Sources describe it either as the Transfiguration or as Christ with the four evangelists.
• The ensemble around the church – two symmetrical buildings, the former school and parsonage, designed as mirror images.

Tripto tip

The church closes the north side of the market square, a few dozen metres from the town hall. Allow 15–30 minutes for the façade and interior. It is an active church – the interior is easiest to see just before or after Mass. The best photo of the whole building with its tower is from the square, near the town hall.