St. Mary's Church, Stargard

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the World (Polish: Kolegiata Najświętszej Marii Panny Królowej Świata, German: Marienkirche) in Stargard is a noted architectural monument in Polish Western Pomerania. It closes the eastern part of the Old Town Market. The monument is a part of the European Route of Brick Gothic. It is a collegiate church, but inhabitants of the town commonly call it "the Cathedral".

History

The oldest known mention of the Church's existence is from writings in the year 1248. The bishop of Cammin, having returned Stargard to Duke Barnim I, stipulated his law to the church.

The Church, in a quickly developing Stargard, became too small for regular attendants. In 1292, construction started on a new and more impressive place of worship. In this phase, the Church had a three nave structure, with all naves of equal height, and no tower. In the period from 1388 to about 1500, the last expansion of the structure emerged with the construction of the Presbytery and towers.

The church and adjoining city walls represent one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments (Pomnik historii), as designated October 4, 2010. Its listing is maintained by the National Heritage Board of Poland.