It is situated on an island near what was formerly the southern boundary of the medieval city, opposite the historic harbour area on the Elbe river.
The main body, consisting of a triple nave, was rebuilt during the mid-15th century in the north German Brick Gothic style.
The church was mostly destroyed in an air-raid during World War II, on 30 July 1943, that left only the outer walls and the base of the spire standing.
Bach first visited the church in the summer of 1701 and played here again in October/November 1720 when he auditioned for the post of organist at the nearby Jacobikirche; his Fantasy and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 dates to this occasion.
Repairs were made in 1742, and a new lavishly carved decorated case was built; it was adorned with gilding and cherubs along with statues of angels playing trumpets.
The stops are as following: Hauptwerk Principal 16' Quintadena 16' Bordun 16' Octava 8' Querflöte 8' Spitzflöte 8' Octava 4' Octava 2' Rausch-Pfeiffe II Mixtura X Trommete 16' Trommete 8' Rückpositiv Principal 8' Gedact 8' Quintadena 8' Octava 4' Blockflöte 4' Hohlflöte 4' Quintflöte 1 1/2' Sifflet 1' Sesquialtera II Scharff VIII Regal 8' Oboe d'Amore 8' Schallmey 4' Oberwerk Principal 8' Hohlflöte 8' Viola di Gamba 8' Octava 4' Flöte 4' Nassat 3' Gemshorn 2' Waldflöte 2' Scharff VI Trommete 8' Zincke 8' Trommete 4' Brustpositiv Principal 8' Octava 4' Quintadena 4' Waldpfeife 2' Scharff VII Dulcian 16' Regal 8' Pedal Principal 32' Principal 16' Sub-Bass 16' Octava 8' Gedact 8' Octava 4' Nachthorn 4' Rauschpfeiffe II Mixtura V Cimbel III Groß-Posaune 32' Posaune 16' Dulcian 16' Trommete 8' Krumhorn 8´ Schalmey 4´ Cornet-Baß 2' Speelhulpen Schuifkoppel OW/HW Schuifkoppel BW/OW 2 Cymbelsterren Vogelgeschrei Timpani Tremulant RW Tremulant BW Tremulant generaal Recordings Bach - Pièce d'Orgue BWV 572 - Leo van Doeselaar Bach - Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 639 - Leo van Doeselaar Bach - Fantasia Super: Komm, Heiliger Geist BWV 651 - Leo van Doeselaar Bach - Fugue in B minor BWV 579 - Leo van Doeselaar Bach - Concerto in D minor BWV 596 Bach - Sonata no.