The area of Czarnkow was included in the first Polish state founded by Mieszko I of Poland in the 10th century. In 1108 while attempting to conquer Pomerania Boleslaw III Wyrmouth (1086-1138) conquered the castle at present day Czarnkow that was occupied by the pagan Pomeranians. In the Middle Ages Czarnkow developed into a village for trade as it was located at the intersection of the trade routes between Poznan to Pommerania and Wielen to Naklo and Notecia.
In the late 13th century King Wladqyslaw, I Lokietek (1260 – 1333) granted Czarnkow to the Nalecz family who then changed their family name to Czarnkowski to match their new holding. The Czarnkowski family continued to own the village until the 1600s.
By September 16, 1675, the Czarnkowski estate had been sold to Andreas Franz Gembicki. On that date Gembicki to attract merchants and craftsmen to his city, establishes the right of new settlers regardless of their ethnicity to receive building plots, timber, exemption from taxes, and the right of the dissidents (Lutherans) to employ a minister and have their own church. He was successful, attracting many settlers from Siliesa. On March 1, 1677, Gembicki grants the citizens of Czarnkow the rights and duties of citizenship.
It was not until October 10, 1686, that the new owner of village Christoph Grzymultowski permitted the Lutheran citizens to build a prayer house and school in Czarnkow. The congregation was dissolved by the Polish government in 1712 during the Great Northern War.
On November 3, 1701, the next owner of Czarnkow, Adam Alexander Naramwoski granted the Jews of Czarnkow a privilege of protection. In exchange for a yearly payment of 800 tinfen they were exempt from taking ham, herring and mutton from the manor’s farm. They were permitted to trade in cloth, iron, spices and linen. The manufacture of lights and trade in tar was reserved solely for them. They were permitted to take up the profession of furrier, tailor, or butcher but since they did not belong to the guilds, they were required to pay a levy to the guilds in advance.
Following the first partition of Poland in 1772 the city of Czarnkow became part of West Prussia. During the following year the Lutheran residents reestablished their congregation with Carl Gotthilf Schreiber as the pastor and rector of the school. The congregation with the support of Count Swinarski, the town’s landlord, built a church with wood donated by the Count. Slowly rural residents from the surrounding area joined the congregation.
In 1773 the village had 1,264 residents, half Catholic and half Lutheran and Jewish. Based upon the names approximately 2/3 of the residents had German ancestry. In addition, there were 110 Jewish families equaling to 362 Jewish residents.
Pastor Schreiber quarreled with the community. He left the church in 1785 to accept a call in Obersitzko. Johann Gottlieb Heinrich, born in Rakwitz in 1751, became the second pastor in 1786. He served until his death on August 4, 1819.
The wooden church built in 1772 stood until the 1820’s. At that time Carl Georg Grützmacher was serving as the pastor. As a gift to build a new church King Friedrich Wilhelm III gave the congregation 22,500 Marks. The building, which stood into the 20th century, was consecrated on October 15, 1830.
Primary Sources
Quellenband zur Geschichte der zweiten deutschen Ostssiedlung im westlichen Netzegau, Werner Schulz, 1938
Geschichte der evangelischen Parochieen in der Provinz Posen, Albert Werner, 1898