The town church is not only of central importance as a visible sign of a living community, it is also an essential stone testimony to Ilmenau's history.

The earliest history of the church building is shrouded in mystery; there are no records of it.
However, excavations inside the church in 1997 revealed remains of walls from previous churches dating back to the 12th/13th century. This made it clear that the oldest stone church in Ilmenau (as an apse hall church) must have been built at this time.
There is also evidence of the remains of the successor building from the 13th/14th century on the same site (as a church with transept).
Two inspection shafts at the beginning of the chancel make this evidence of Ilmenau's church history visible to interested visitors.

The church has undergone many changes since then. Today's church building is essentially the result of three phases in the history of the building. Evidence of this can be found everywhere.