Melanchthonkirche

In 1963, the Melanchthonkirche opened its doors. This was a special year for Dortmund. The city hosted the Kirchentag, a large Protestant church congress. The Melanchthonkirche, named after Philipp Melanchthon, a friend of Martin Luther, became a focal point of this event. The story of the Melanchthonkirche began much earlier, though. In 1927, the Melanchthon-Haus was built. This building served as a community center for the Reinoldi parish. There were plans to build a larger church on Kaiserstraße. However, World War II interrupted these plans. The Melanchthon-Haus became the sole location for the newly established Melanchthon parish in 1948. This parish served Dortmund’s eastern inner city. The Melanchthonkirche itself was designed by architect Wilhelm Lindner, a member of the congregation. A striking Christus figure by Wolfgang Kreutter adorns the altar wall. Music lovers will appreciate the three-manual Walcker organ. This organ was commissioned by Kantor Max Lorf. Lorf was a close friend of Gerard Bunk, the cantor of the Reinoldi Church. The church’s 51-meter tower was added in 1991. Architects van der Minde and Krug from Hagen designed this impressive structure. Kantor Max Lorf also donated the church’s five-part bronze bell. In the late 1990s, the church underwent a significant renovation. The deteriorating stained-glass windows were replaced with new ones. These vibrant windows were designed by British artist Graham Jones. As the congregation dwindled, the Melanchthon-Haus was repurposed in 2006. It became a modern, senior-friendly residential building. The Melanchthonkirche also adapted to these changing times. Community rooms were integrated into the church itself. The traditional pews were removed. They were replaced with mobile seating, offering greater flexibility. Later, a modern, open, and light-flooded community hall was added. This created a truly multifunctional space. Near the Melanchthonkirche, you’ll find other buildings related to the parish. In Karl-Lücking-Straße stands the children’s and youth center. This building, dating back to 1902, houses a kindergarten and youth floor. Next to it is a vicarage built in 1958. The children’s and youth center is noteworthy as the oldest building in the parish after St. Reinoldi Church. So, the Melanchthonkirche stands as a testament to the evolving needs of a community. It has successfully adapted to change while remaining a spiritual and social hub.