The Saint Mary's Church (, ) is a Lutheran parish church used and owned by the Lutheran parish in Himmelpforten, Lower Saxony, Germany. The Himmelpforten parish forms part of the Stade deanery (Kirchenkreis) within the of the Lutheran Church of Hanover. The church was completed in 1738 and covers the eastern half of the foundations of the demolished abbey church of the former Himmelpforten Convent.

History Today's church was erected in 1738 using rests of the former abbey church which had mostly been torn down due to dilapidation in 1737.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 68. No ISBN The previous Cistercian church building was the abbey of the former Conventus Porta Coeli, in 1255 relocated to Himmelpforten on the instigation of the Prince-Archbishop of Bremen.Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 28. From the beginning on the abbey church served also as the parish church of the local parish (Kirchspiel Himmelpforten).Matthias Nistal, "Die Zeit der Reformation und der Gegenreformation und die Anfänge des Dreißigjährigen Krieges (1511–1632)", in: Geschichte des Landes zwischen Elbe und Weser: 3 vols., Hans-Eckhard Dannenberg and Heinz-Joachim Schulze (eds.) on behalf of the Landschaftsverband der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden, Stade: Landschaftsverband der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden, 1995 and 2008, vol. I 'Vor- und Frühgeschichte' (1995; ), vol. II 'Mittelalter (einschl. Kunstgeschichte)' (1995; ), vol. III 'Neuzeit' (2008; ), (=Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden; vols. 7–9), vol. III: pp. 1–158, here p. 78. .

Noble families from the Elbe–Weser triangle (Bremian ministerialis) bestowed land and dues on the Cistercian nunnery,Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 27. enabling it to sustain their unmarried kinswomen.Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 33.Christine Kleinjung, "Nonnen und Personal, Familien und Stifter: Zisterzienserinnenkonvente und ihre soziale Umwelt", in: Norm und Realität: Kontinuität und Wandel der Zisterzienser im Mittelalter (proceedings of the international conference «Norm und Realität. Kontinuität und Wandel der Zisterzienser im Mittelalter» held from 14 to 16 March 2007 in Mainz), Franz J. Felten and Werner Rösener (eds.), Berlin: Lit-Verlag, 2009, (=Vita regularis: Ordnungen und Deutungen religiösen Lebens im Mittelalter; vol. 42), pp. 225–263, here p. 232. . The nuns, and later the Lutheran conventuals (after the Reformation), elected a provost as their legal male representative to the outside.Sabine Graf, "Die vier katholischen Klöster Harsefeld, Altkloster, Neukloster und Zeven im evangelischen Erzstift Bremen", in: Stader Jahrbuch, N.F. 91/92 (2001/2002), pp. 51–78, here p. 64. The provost was entitled to nominate the candidates (ius nominandiThe privilege to nominate a candidate for a pastorate.) to be appointed as pastors in the parishes of Großenwörden, Himmelpforten, and .Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 37.

Prince-Archbishop financially burdensome reign (1511–1547 and again 1549–1558) and prodigal lifestyle fostered the spreading of the Reformation in the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen. The conversion of the nuns followed the spreading of Lutheranism among the noble families from whom they originated.Heinz-Joachim Schulze, "Himmelpforten" (article), in: Germania Benedictina: 12 vols., vol. XII: 'Norddeutschland: Die Männer- und Frauenklöster der Zisterzienser in Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg' (1994), Ulrich Faust (compil.), pp. 148–167, here p. 154. By 1550/1555 the Porta Coeli nunnery had transformed into a Lutheran Damsels' Convent, since its aim - to sustain unmarried noble women - was to be maintained.Sabine Graf, "Die vier katholischen Klöster Harsefeld, Altkloster, Neukloster und Zeven im evangelischen Erzstift Bremen", in: Stader Jahrbuch, N.F. 91/92 (2001/2002), pp. 51–78, here p. 60. In 1556 Provost Engelbert Gripenstroet/Griepenstroth nominated the first Lutheran preacher for the abbey of Porta Coeli,Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 27. No ISBN. whom then the competent archdeacon, in personal union the provost of the Bremen Cathedral chapter, invested according to his ius investiendi.The privilege to invest a priest.

Between 1628 and 1629 during the Catholic Leaguist conquest and subsequent occupation of the Prince-Archbishopric in the course the Thirty Years' War most Protestant preachers fled the area or were exiled.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 31. No ISBN. So also Himmelpforten's Lutheran preachers Hermann Marsmann and Ludolphus Eggebert(us) fled.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 30. No ISBN.

On 19/29 NovemberO.S./N.S. Jacob Brummer and Wilhelm Schröder, subdelegates of the Restitution Commission ordered the Prioress Gerdruth von KampeToday her then name is also given in the modern standard German variant Gertrud. to deliver all liturgical devices which they appropriated in favour of the commission.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 33. No ISBN. On 22 November/ 2 December 1629O.S./N.S. all the seized liturgical devices of Himmelpforten's church were handed over to the Jesuit Father Matthias Kalkhoven, and disappeared with the Jesuits in April 1632.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 38. No ISBN. Only one chalice from 1422, preserved until today, remained with the convent.Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 142. No ISBN.

Since 1630 the Himmelpforten Convent had been deprived of its revenues, first in favour of the Jesuits, subsequently in favour of the Administrator regnant John Frederick, then of the new seigniorial local lord Count Gustaf Adolf Lewenhaupt/Löwenhaupt and his son,Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 39. No ISBN. and finally thereafter in favour of the general government of Swedish Bremen-Verden,Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 53. No ISBN. succeeding the Prince-Archbishopric since 1648. So for lack of funds and maintenance the convent buildings and the church fell into decay.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, pp. 48seq. No ISBN.

In 1681 Samuel Friedrich Riedell, bailiff of the seigniorial Amt Himmelpforten, informed Bremen-Verden's Governour-General Henrik Horn about the expert report of Master Mason Daniel Sommer from Stade that many of the vaults and the western gable of the abbey church were on the verge to collapse, the same was true for most of the outside walls, already giving way to the pressure by the deranged vaults.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 69. No ISBNSilvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 139. In 1684 the Bremen-Verdian general government ordered a greater repair of the decayed church, and also the remaining convent buildings were restored to some extent, all carried out by the socage farmers.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, p. 54. No ISBN.

During the vacancy of the pastorate (1696–1703), on 13 May 1699 representatives of the Himmelpforten parish handed in an expertise by the judges Johann Schröder (Großenwörden), Erich Schlichting (Breitenwisch), Master Carpenter Erich Dede and Master Mason Hinrich Vörder, describing the former abbey church as being well preserved. According to their report the abbey's external dimensions measured Bremian feet 141 () in length and Br. ft 46 () in width, whereas its vault ceiling reached a height of Br. ft 44 ().Silvia Schulz-Hauschildt, Himmelpforten – Eine Chronik, Gemeinde Himmelpforten municipality (ed.), Stade: Hansa-Druck Stelzer, 1990, p. 138. The abbey comprised seven bays with 21 pillars carrying the vaulted ceiling. However, the aim of this expertise was to urge the General Government to restaff the pastorate. On 21 January 1706 the new Pastor Michael Schreiner reported the bad shape of the pastorate to his superiors.

Now Bremen-Verden's General Government reacted and began rebuilding the whole convent compound.Georg von Issendorff, Kloster und Amt Himmelpforten. Nach Akten und Urkunden dargestellt, reprint of the edition by "Stader Archiv", 1911/1913, extended by Clemens Förster, Stade and Buxtehude: Krause, 1979, pp. 66seqq. No ISBN In 1732 the old pastorate was replaced by a new building recycling preserved parts of the old pastorate and the old bailiff's office. (1703–1785), Landbaumeister (i.e. State Construction Master, about public works architect) planned to renovate the existing church, and calculated cost of Rixdollar (Rtlr) 2,290:26:00.Landkreis Stade / Archäologische Denkmalpflege and Heimat- und Schulmuseum Himmelpforten, Zeugen der Geschichte in Himmelpforten. Ein Spaziergang durch die Vergangenheit der Gemeinde, Heimat- und Schulmuseum Himmelpforten (ed.), Stade: Seidel, 2006, section 2

Building and furnishings

Current building However, Bonn's plan was not acknowledged by the general government of British-Hanoverian Bremen-Verden and thus the old church was mostly torn down in 1737, and rebuild to half of its previous length and slightly narrower. In 1738 Master Mason Christian Götze led the new construction. The new church was inaugurated in the same year and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Like the abbey the present church is oriented. The eastern part of the northern wall and the adjacent part of the apsis wall of the old abbey church were maintained and thus integrated into the else new structure of today's St. Mary's. Generally the present church has smaller windows than the abbey, so that the bigger window openings in the preserved northern wall are now partially blocked up to fit the smaller windows.