Perhaps you’ve noticed the unassuming building before? This is the Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf. It is more than just a building. It is a community with a rich history.
The Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf’s roots go back to the 19th-century revival movement. It all started with six young women from Derendorf. In 1925 they founded an EC youth group. A woman named Frau Sauerländer opened her home for meetings. Her home was on Münsterstraße. Lucie Haas led the group.
Over the next few years, the group grew. They added a Sunday school, a women’s group, and a children’s program. They even started a choir. But war brought challenges. Beginning in 1943 bombs destroyed their meeting places. These places were on Münsterstraße, Nordstraße and Sternstraße. After the war, the community rebuilt. They started small with Bible study for girls. It was held on Gerhardstraße. Later, they met in a school on Kaiserswerther Straße.
From 1953 on, the community grew, thanks to the work of two women. These women were Deaconesses Hildegard Haas and Christa Kranzhöfer. Young people met on Sunday afternoons. Adults gathered on Sunday evenings. They met in rooms on Prinz-Georg-Straße.
In 1982, Manfred Weinmann became the first preacher to support the church. A “Teestube” or tea room opened on Düsselstraße in Bilk. This provided a public space for outreach.
In 1990, the community was renamed Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf. It developed into a full-fledged church. It offered morning services and other church functions.
For years, the Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf lacked a permanent home. In 2001, their space on Prinz-Georg-Straße became too small. Services moved to the Haus der Kirche on Bastionstraße. In 2005, the building on Prinz-Georg-Straße was sold. Starting in 2008, services were held at the CVJM-Hotel. The hotel was on Graf-Adolf-Straße.
Finally, in 2009, the Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf found a permanent home. They took over the Carl-Sonnenschein-Haus on Brinckmannstraße. This building had belonged to the Catholic University Community. The new location offered many opportunities. It allowed them to expand their community work.
In 2022, the Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf adopted a new mission statement. Since then they have defined themselves as an evangelical church. They serve the Bilk district. The Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Today, the Evangelische Stadtmission Düsseldorf continues its work. It strives to be a welcoming community. It offers various programs and services. It is a place where people can connect with God and with each other. The motto of the church is “gemeinsam glauben leben”. This means “living faith together”. They welcome visitors. They invite you to experience their community.