An unusual gift!

In the year 1269 a nobleman was looking for the right environment for his daughter and found the monastery of Walsrode to be just suitable. He was so pleased about the admission of his daughter in the monastery, that he and his relatives gave the monastery an unusual present:

The church of Meinerdingen

It was a small, insignificant church about 3km east of the monastery, but it was already surrounded by a small parish.

The deed of donation of the year 1269, which only exists as a copy nowadays, is the eldest remaining proof about the church of Meinerdingen. The church was probably built in the beginning of the 13th century. Over the years it was expanded. In the 14th century the church was either destroyed down to the foundation walls or pulled down and was rebuilt in gothic style. Later on, in the beginning of the 16th century a church steeple was added and at the end of the 19th century the vestry and the porch were added on, too.

A lot has happened to the parish over the years. During the 30 years war the church was partly plundered. Swedish soldiers took one of the two church bells amongst many other things with them.

After the war there must have been a short term of prosperity. Donators fitted out the church again and in the year 1649 a house was built for the vicar's widow next to the church. Apart from that though, the chronicle of the parish mentions several financial problems and the bad quality of life of vicars in those days.

The church is named after "St. Georg", whose portray one can find on the eldest church bell and on the churches seal.

The interior of the church is characterised by portrays of the evangelists, the new gothic organ above the altar and the font in gothic style. The baroque angel was still in use for christenings up until the last century.

Today the church of Meinerdingen is a parish church with a large and lively community, that includes the villages of Honerdingen, Uetzingen and Vorbrück. Services take place every Sunday at 10 a.m.

Guided tours are possible. For further information contact:

Ev.-Luth. Pfarramt Meinerdingen
Dorfallee 15
29664 Walsrode
Tel.: 05161 / 8790