December 16, 1740, marks a turning point in Austrian rule in Silesia. On this day, Prussian troops crossed the Silesian border, beginning the First Silesian War. The actual takeover by the Hohenzollern dynasty was secured with the Peace of Berlin on July 28, 1742, and finally guaranteed by the Treaty of Hubertusburg on February 15, 1763. Meanwhile, attempts were made to integrate Silesia into the civil and military structures of the Prussian state. This resulted in the creation of a new civil administration, a separate Silesian Ministry, and two War and Domain Chambers. Cities lost their self-governance, which was replaced by state offices. Silesian economies were burdened with customs duties and new taxes. Prussian rule ended the discrimination against the Protestant population, although the process of achieving equality for them continued for a long time.
Important changes took place in the military sphere. The number of soldiers permanently quartered in cities increased twentyfold compared to the previous number.1 The population of Silesia was forced into military service, which was achieved through the introduction of a cantonal system encompassing the population in order to quickly recruit soldiers. The expansion of the army brought new, previously unknown problems related to supplying the soldiers. Difficulties with quartering and supplying the troops led to the construction of numerous barracks, casemates, military storehouses, and bakeries.
The spiritual "care" of the soldiers resulted in the establishment of Protestant garrison churches, which were served by field chaplains.
Significant changes took place in the military sphere. The number of soldiers permanently quartered in cities increased twentyfold compared to the previous level.1 The population of Silesia was conscripted into military service, which was achieved through the introduction of a cantonal system encompassing the entire population in order to quickly recruit soldiers. The expansion of the army brought new, previously unknown problems related to supplying the soldiers. Difficulties with quartering and supplying the troops led to the construction of numerous barracks, casemates, military granaries, and bakeries. The spiritual care of the soldiers resulted in the establishment of Protestant garrison churches, which were served by field chaplains.
By the mid-18th century, Protestant military chaplaincy in Prussia was very well developed. The foundation for this was laid by the Great Elector. He was the one who, among other things, introduced the principle that each battalion had its own chaplain during wartime. In 1655, garrison chaplains were appointed in Berlin for the first time-
The Elector's intention was clear: a pious soldier was more disciplined and obedient. Therefore, later Prussian rulers placed great emphasis on pastoral care within the army. During the reign of the first Prussian king, Frederick I, pastoral care was permanently established in garrisons. In 1702, the first garrison church was built in Berlin. Under Frederick I, known for his piety, the further development of military chaplaincy was promoted and institutionally organized independently of the "civilian church." Even then, there were approximately 100 military chaplains, headed by a field provost (since 1717). The construction of garrison churches was strongly encouraged. In 1721, a new church for soldiers was built in Berlin to replace the old garrison church, which had been destroyed by a powder tower explosion.5 Another church was built in Potsdam in 1731-32.6 Outside of Potsdam and Berlin, the most important cities in Brandenburg, churches exclusively for garrisons remained rare. Examples include the church in the citadel of Pillau, dating from 1717,7 and the church in Landsberg. In other garrisons, one of the existing churches usually served as a military church. An example of this is the garrison church in Frankfurt an der Oder, which was the former Franciscan church.9 Under the reign of Frederick II, the situation of the military church hardly changed. Despite his secular stance, the king by no means weakened the role of the church in the education of soldiers.
The only difference arose from the religious specificity of Silesia. In the County of Glatz and in Upper Silesia, Catholics constituted the majority, so the garrison parishes were the only Protestant parishes that also served the civilian population. This was possible thanks to the resolution in the Military Consistory Regulations of 1750, which stated that a garrison parish could include not only the military (officers, soldiers and their families, as well as servants) but also other residents who were not registered with any other existing parish.
2 Erich Schild, Der Preussische Feldprediger. The Prussian Field Chaplain, Vol. 2: The Brandenburg-Prussian Field Chaplaincy in its Historical Development, Halle 1890, p. 7.
3 Werner Schwipps, The Garrison Churches of Berlin and Potsdam, Berlin 1964, pp. 11-12.
4 Erich Schild (as in note 2), pp. 77-81.
5 Wolfgang Gottschalk, Old Berlin Churches in Historical Views, Leipzig 1985, pp. 178f.
6 Werner Schwipps (as in note 3), pp. 49f.
7 R. Hoburg, Historical-Military News about the Pillau Fortress. In: New Prussian Provincial Papers, 3rd Series, Vol. 2, 1858, p. 237
8 The Art Monuments of the Province of Brandenburg, Vol. VII 3: City and District of Landsberg (Warthe), Berlin 1937, p. 86.
9 Herman Heckmann, Master Builders of the Baroque and Rococo in Brandenburg-Prussia, Berlin 1998, p. 318.
10 Ludwig Burgemeister and Günther Grundmann, The Art Monuments of the City of Breslau, Vol. 2, Breslau 1933, p. 156; Theo Johannes Mann, History of the City of Schweidnitz, Reut-