St. Jacobi, Gothic church in Stendal, Germany

St. Jacobi is a church with Gothic characteristics featuring large stained glass windows, ribbed vaults, and a prominent tower that rises above Stendal. The building encompasses a central nave, side aisles, and chapels arranged in the traditional cross-like layout of medieval churches.

The oldest section, the three eastern bays of the nave, was begun in 1311 or 1340, according to two readings of the building and indulgence tablet on the south wall. The choir was finished in 1347/1348, and the nave was extended westward in the second half of the 14th century. The Romanesque tower from the predecessor building collapsed in 1808 and was replaced by the present spire-topped tower between 1893 and 1901.

The church is dedicated to Saint James the Elder, shown on the column beneath the pulpit, and his figure also appears on the side panels of the sandstone altar retable carved by Hans Hacke between 1600 and 1603. The choir is closed off by a late Gothic wooden screen of around 1500 with iron grilles and a crucifixion group, comparable to the one in St. Marien.

The building is accessible during worship services, with additional guided tours and events organized throughout the year. Plan your visit in advance to confirm access times and avoid any special ceremonies that might restrict public entry.

The south wall's third bay holds a sandstone plaque in Gothic minuscules: a Latin verse inscription records that provost Deneke Noye built it at Easter 1340 and promises 1,210 days of indulgence granted by the papal see. The date is read by some as 1311, which is why the church's start is disputed.