Varel palace church, Lutheran church in Varel, Lower Saxony, Germany

The Varel palace church is a Lutheran church whose oldest part, the nave, was built in the 12th century from irregularly hewn granite boulders. In the first half of the 13th century a broad Romanesque westwork with twin towers was added; the two tower stumps, holding five bells, are still visible inside and from the east. A transept and an eastern choir, dated to the 15th century by Wilhelm Janßen and to around 1300 by the Dehio handbook, give the church its cross shape.

The nave of irregular fieldstones dates from the 12th century, built on Varel's highest point over a wooden predecessor. In the first half of the 13th century a Romanesque westwork with twin towers was added; after the tower tops were lost around 1600, the remaining stumps were joined under one roof in the 18th century. A transept and eastern choir gave the church its cross shape, dated by the Dehio handbook to the late 13th century. After 1650 the church became part of the counts' castle, demolished after a fire around 1870.

The church is probably dedicated to the Apostle Peter, whose life is shown on the new bronze tympanon at the west entrance, inaugurated on 22 June 2024 and carved by Carl Constantin Weber. Inside, the oak altar, pulpit and baptismal font made by Ludwig Münstermann between 1613 and 1618 for Count Anton II of Delmenhorst form one of North Germany's main Mannerist ensembles.

You can reach the church through the office at Schloßplatz 2 in Varel and inquire by phone at +49-4451-966219. It is best to contact ahead to confirm access, especially if you plan to visit outside of service times.

The two tower stumps are still visible inside and from the east, and they hold five bells. The organ, built in 1978 by Karl Schuke of Berlin, keeps its neo-Gothic front from Philipp Furtwängler's 1861 instrument, and two lions bearing coats of arms flanking the central pedal tower date from a 1615 case.