St. Jacobi, Gothic church building in Nauen, Germany

St. Jacobi stands at Martin Luther Square as a three-nave hall church made of brick with a five-sided choir and pointed arches throughout. The structure seats around 900 people and continues to serve as an active Protestant church today.

The tower's lower section may date to the mid-12th century, when a priest named Hermann is recorded; its 2.5-metre walls and a stair starting six metres up suggest a former defensive tower. The three-aisled hall church took shape in the 14th century, and the choir dates to the second half of the 15th century. A town fire in 1414 damaged the vaults, which were renewed.

The interior holds a baroque high altar from 1708 with a crucifixion group and an ornate baptismal font from 1724 showing biblical scenes. These artworks continue to shape the character of the worship space.

St. Jacobi stands unfenced on Martin-Luther-Platz in the centre of Nauen, with Kirchstraße running behind the row of houses to the south. The brick tower is the landmark to aim for when approaching on foot. The interior is open to visitors outside service times.

Two major fires in 1414 and 1695 destroyed large portions of the church and led to extensive renovations. These disasters left a lasting mark on the building and the interior arrangement you see today.