Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, Neuruppin

Pastor Robert Hirschfelder was the architect of the church: the laying of the foundation stone took place in 1882. Architect Franz Statz from Berlin made the plans and drawings for the church, the rectory and the school. Royal master builder Rommel was responsible for the construction. The entire construction cost 74,000 deutschmarks. The Boniface Society of Prince Bishop Heinrich von Breslau and the episcopal delegation in Berlin provided funds to supplement the church’s own, and it was ceremoniously consecrated on July 24, 1883 by Dr Aßmann, the delegate of the Bishop of Breslau. The church was built in neo-Gothic style, and its original decoration has been renewed over the years.

The church tower is 34 metres high. 2 bells were originally hung for the inauguration: in 1908 these were replaced by a set of 3 bells. In 1917, 2 of the bells were confiscated for war purposes. In 1926 a new chime consisting of 3 bells was installed. Of these, the two large bells were likewise seized for military use. Today there is a single bell that calls to prayer – the Marienglocke. The church’s basic features included an organ built by Neuruppin organ builder Hollenbach. In 1977 this organ was replaced with a new one made by the Potsdam-based company Schucke as it was not possible to finance the renovation of the old organ. Surviving elements of the original church fittings include images of the stations of the cross and the baptismal font. The altar, pews, the pietà and the group of Sacred Heart figures (Jesus and the beloved disciple John – Sigmaringen) were renewed. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the parish (1849 – 1999), a meeting hall was established: the “Wichmann-Saal”.