Founded in 1849 the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde in Lübeck boasts a rich history. It’s one of the oldest Baptist communities in northern Germany. Imagine the challenges faced by these early believers. They weren’t always welcome.
The story begins long before 1849. Anabaptist refugees fleeing persecution arrived in Lübeck as early as 1532. The Lübeck Church Order of 1531 however forbade other faiths. These early Anabaptists found refuge in nearby villages like Steinrade Rensefeld and Grönau. Eventually they moved on some even leaving Germany.
By 1608 Anabaptist groups formed in Holland and England. Their spiritual origins trace directly back to the Reformation. The name Baptist emerged then. A key Baptist belief is adult baptism by full immersion a public declaration of faith.
Hamburg’s first Baptist community formed in 1834. By 1849 almost fifty congregations and preaching points had formed in Germany and Denmark. All claimed to be biblically faithful churches. Lübeck’s Baptist congregation started then as a daughter church of Hamburg.
Initially the Lübeck congregation was small. They met in a rented hall at Dankwartsgrube 25. An 1853 baptism in the Wakenitz River was reported in the Lübecker Volksbote newspaper. This led to persecution. The mayor offered police protection but requested meetings remain private. Baptisms then took place in a private bathhouse on today’s Roeckstraße.
As the congregation grew they moved to Fischstraße 7-9 then Mengstraße 44. In 1907 they bought the building at Große Altfähre 7 converting it for church use. In 1921 the Lübeck Senate granted them corporate rights. They became independent in 1922.
Under political pressure in 1941/42 German Baptist churches joined other free churches. This formed the Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden. Lübeck’s congregation became the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde Lübeck (Baptisten) K.d.ö.R.
After World War II refugees from the eastern German territories swelled the congregation to over 500. The Große Altfähre building was too small. They bought property at Roeckstraße 2. The Friedenskirche peace church was built in two stages 1954 and 1973. It’s a modern community center attached to the protected historic front house.
In 1992 the Lübeck Senate named the street next to the church Täuferstraße commemorating the Anabaptists of the Reformation era. The Friedenskirche stands today a testament to faith resilience and community. It’s a place of worship a vibrant center of faith in Lübeck’s rich tapestry of history.