The Lambertikirche in Oldenburg has a long history. A settlement was first recorded there in 1108, though no mention was made of a church at that time. A church was first mentioned in 1237, and this church was dedicated to St Lambertus between 1155 and 1234. During medieval times, the church was surrounded by a cemetery. In the 18th century, the church was rebuilt in the neo-classical style with the inside being made into a rotunda and the cemetery was closed.
Countess Margrethe Hedevig and Count Christian Friedrich von Haxthausen have two magnificent marble sarcophagi in the vestibule of the Lambertikirche. Christian Friedrich was a descendant of Anthony Günther, Count of Oldenburg, through an illegitimate line. He served as chamberlain of the Danish Queen Charlotte Amalie (born of Hesse-Kassel) for several years. His wife too was at the Danish court as she was a governess of the future King Frederick V’s children.
The other two coffins belong to Sophie Katharina of Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderborg and her husband Anthony Günther, Count of Oldenburg, his cenotaph close by is thus empty. The two cenotaphs and the two coffins of Sophie Katharina Anthony Günther were moved to the vestibulum in 2009. The two coffins are original.
The church supposedly also has a crypt, though I was unable to find an entrance to it. This may have been lost during the extensive renovations.
The church is open for visitors every day except Sunday.
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