Schelfkirche, Lutheran church in Schelfstadt district of Schwerin, Germany.
The Schelfkirche is a brick church in the Schelfstadt district of Schwerin, with a tall tower and thick masonry walls that give it a strong presence on the square. The building stands freely on the Schelfmarkt, visible from all sides.
The present building was constructed from 1708 onward by engineer Jacob Reutz, replacing an earlier church that had been badly damaged by storms. The new structure followed the Baroque style of the early 18th century and reshaped the look of the district.
The church stands on the Schelfmarkt, one of the oldest market squares in Schwerin, still lined with half-timbered houses and old linden trees. Visitors walking through the square today get a strong sense of how a historic neighborhood square once looked and felt.
The church is open to visitors at set times, so checking current hours before arriving is a good idea. Those wishing to climb the tower can ask at the church directly or arrange access in advance.
The Schelfkirche is considered the only fully realized Baroque brick church in West Mecklenburg. Its construction details show clear northern German influences on religious architecture of the early 18th century.
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