Abstract:
The Collegiate Chapter of St. Peter was founded on 18 April 1261 by Prince Barnim I and his wife Marianne, with the participation of Bishop Hermann von Gleichen (1251-1289). Two years later, on 8 July 1263, the same prince himself brought it to his newly-founded the Collegiate Church of St. Mary. The Chapter of St. Peter's/St. Mary's survived for 282 years. It was finally resolved in 1543 and its income was transferred to prince’s Pedagogium. The Chapter consisted of 12 canons, including six prelates. In the 13th century, the chapter’s income increased. To the income coming from two villages, 25 churches, a chapel, new sources were added. The chapter got privileged with an annual income of 30 Marks from the mint in Szczecin. Other new sources were as follows: land and rent of the 71 villages and two cities of Szczecin and Pyrzyce. Access to the Szczecin Basin in the vicinity of two villages: Stepnica and Świętowice and 37 churches (currently 10 of these localities is in Germany) as well a chapel were also sources of the chapter’s income in the sixteenth century. The chapter enjoyed a most beautiful church in Szczecin and the best school in the city. Provost of the chapter also participated in the territorial organization of the diocese, holding the office of Archdeacon. The chapter was also responsible for the growth of spiritual life in Szczecin, and influenced cultural development in the region, as borne out by a comprehensive book collection. At that time, Szczecin had a largest number of collegiate or monastic centres. 7 centres out of 70 in the Diocese of Kamień Pomorski were located in Szczecin. St. Mary’s collegiate was undoubtedly a leading centre among these.
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