St. Martinskirche

1483. A single bell tolls. It echoes from the tower of St. Martinskirche. It connects us to a time long past. Here at St. Martinskirche, history whispers from the stones. The church you see today is a testament to resilience. St. Martinskirche traces its roots back to a 13th-century structure. A baroque successor rose in 1728. This church was designed by Johann Christian Böhme. Sadly, World War II air raids ravaged the building. Only the steadfast tower survived the onslaught. The new church was built between 1955 and 1957. The architect Dieter Oesterlen designed a strikingly modern structure. Notice the stark contrast with the old tower. The tower stands as a poignant reminder of what once was. Now it watches over the new. The original connection between the tower and the old church can still be seen. It is marked by the exposed, unplastered section of the tower’s stonework. The church’s interior houses remarkable artwork. A relief of St. Martin, crafted by Kurt Lehmann, graces the east wall. Inside, admire the colorful stained glass and the detailed altar wall. The altar wall depicts the twelve gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. The baptismal font also survived the war. It dates back to 1647. High above, a large 1483 bell known as the “Lutherglocke” hangs in the tower. The bell was cast in the year of Luther’s birth. Its inscription is a timeless message. “I mourn the dead, I call the living, I break the lightning.” The “Lutherglocke” hangs alongside three smaller bells from 1959. Together they create a harmonious chime. The church grounds once housed the village cemetery. Two gravestones remain, marking the final resting place of members of the Egestorff family. They were prominent industrialists in Linden. The area is now part of the Von-Alten-Garten. St. Martinskirche stands as a symbol of enduring faith. It has witnessed centuries of change. It has been reborn from ashes. Its story is interwoven with the story of Linden itself.