 He began work on Ascension Day 1611, and a few days later the pastor died, with Heermann taking on his duties on a temporary basis, despite having only been there for a week.He was put in permanent charge that same Autumn, and also married Dorothea Feige, the daughter of the mayor of Raudten.After a successful start to his career in Köben, the plague arrived in 1613, then in 1616 a fire swept through the town.