Before us rises the Martinskirche, a landmark that has witnessed centuries of Lindens history. The Martinskirche stands elevated on the eastern slope of the Lindener Berg. Its tower is aligned with several streets. This makes it a visible beacon. But it has never been in the center of the town.
Let me tell you its story.
The village of Linden was first mentioned in 1115. It nestled between the Ihme River and Lindener Berg. A first church construction is thought to have existed before 1285. The oldest church seal shows Saint Peter. However, the church was named after Saint Martin because of the Martinstag celebration in 1333.
In 1538, the Reformation was introduced in the parish of Linden. For centuries, this included Linden, Ricklingen, Bornum, Badenstedt, and Davenstedt. During the Thirty Years’ War in 1641, Linden was plundered. The village church was damaged.
Around 1650, a Merian engraving depicted a building with a four-sided tower. It had a high, tile-covered spire. A baroque successor building from 1728 replaced the initial 13th-century structure. However, only the church tower survived the World War II air raids on Hanover. The nave was largely destroyed by an aerial mine on September 22, 1943. The tower remained undamaged.
From 1955 to 1957, Dieter Oesterlen designed the new building. The nave and sacristy were built separately from the tower. The protected tower was largely preserved. It received a new gallery at its height. The former connection of the tower to the nave was left as an unplastered area of broken stone masonry. The redesign features an asymmetrical floor plan. The sober architectural style uses stone, concrete, and glass.
Inside the Martinskirche, note the brick altar wall. It shows the twelve gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. These are based on the Revelation of John. The pictures on the gallery show motifs from the Old Testament in concrete reliefs. These include the Creation, Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the Ten Commandments. The crucifix on the altar is by Franz Rickert.
The Lutherglocke is the oldest church bell in Hanover. It was cast in 1483. This was the year of Martin Luther’s birth. The inscription reads: “I mourn the dead, I call the living, I break the lightning.”
Originally, the village church was surrounded by a cemetery. After a new cemetery opened on Lindener Berg in 1862, the old cemetery was closed. Today, it is part of the Von-Alten-Garten. Only two grave monuments remain. They belong to the Egestorff industrial family.
The Martinskirche stands as a testament to Lindens resilience. It is a blend of historical fragments and modern design. Its story echoes through the centuries, connecting us to the past.