Schifferkirche Arnis

The name "Schifferkirche", which is commonly used today, refers to the fact that since the 18th century Arniss sailors donated votive boats (ship models) to the church as thanks for the rescue from distress.

When the Kappelen boatman families emigrated to Arnis in 1667, they received a large number of chartered rights from Duke Christian Albrecht, which were recorded in the Arnisser Privilege. The whole island was left to the community for ownership, with the church still to be built playing a special role. There were various regulations that ensured that the church received its own income.

The church was very important to the settlers at the time, since Detlef von Rumohr, who wanted to force the people of Kappeln into serfdom, had forbidden the recalcitrant emigrants from visiting their old church in Kappeln. The church and cemetery have long been an integral part of the community. As recently as the 19th century, new pastors were being selected by the Arnissers. A belated consequence of the general right of ownership of the cemetery was the custom that in the 20th century every Arnisse family still had their own family gravesite, for which no money was paid to the church, but which one had to look after and maintain oneself. The hedges and family graves that are still there date from this time and are part of the overall complex, which is part of our cultural heritage. We should preserve this beautiful facility.

schifferkirche-arnis.de/geschichte.html

Very nice area for hiking or cycling