Papendorf: Local History and the Fieldstone Church

Papendorf as a travel destination

Papendorf is located in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The village is primarily a residential community without any major economic structures. Agriculture was once the main economic sector; land in and around Papendorf is still farmed, though on a smaller scale. This change connects the village’s present-day residential character with the continuation of agricultural use.

History and church architecture

Papendorf was first mentioned in 1302. In the same year, Margrave Waldemar granted the village to the town of Pasewalk in settlement of a debt. In 1360, the Pomeranian dukes Barnim, Bogislaw, and Watislaw granted Papendorf to Pasewalk again. Papendorf celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2002. These dates trace the village’s history from its early mention through two medieval grants to the later anniversary, giving it a clear historical focus alongside its church architecture.

The church brings together several specific clues to its building history. Its foundations date from the early 14th century and are built of glacial erratic boulders. The original structure is a rectangular fieldstone hall, with the base of the west tower added later. The bell was cast in 1889 by Stettin craftsman Ernst Voss. The foundations, later structural addition, and dated bell can thus be understood as layers from different periods. The church is considered an important testament to regional architectural and cultural history. The churchyard is enclosed by a fieldstone wall; a monument to the First World War stands on the village road.

A visitor report dated June 3, 2026, stated that the church had been inaccessible for several years; safety concerns had led to traffic restrictions in the surrounding area. Check current access and road conditions before your visit.

Cycling and other attractions in the district

A municipal notice from November 2025 mentions a cycle path along the B 104 leading toward Papendorf. This adds a specific cycling connection to the village.

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald offers additional nature and cycling themes. The landscapes around the Haff, Peene, Uecker, and Randow rivers can be explored by bicycle. Pine and beech forests, as well as the Ueckermünde Heath, are considered areas for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. These regional options provide a broader range of themes to consider when planning your trip.

One example of a cycling tour in the district is the Brohmer Berge-Randowtal circular route. It starts in Pasewalk and combines historic sights with views of the Brohmer and Helpter Hills. The route continues through villages, meadows, and forests to the Slavic settlement of Ukranenland in Torgelow. The route has rail connections in Pasewalk, Strasburg, and Torgelow. This gives you a choice at district level between scenic tours and a route with historic stops.

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald also has a cultural and historical highlight: the Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry of 1554, a unique cultural and historical artifact from the Reformation era.

Discover more destinations: Schönwalde, Jatznick, Krugsdorf, Zerrenthin, Polzow, Viereck, Fahrenwalde, Rollwitz.

View the wider travel overview: Amt Uecker-Randow-Tal.