Built in 1895 the Johannes-Kirche in Dortmund’s Nordstadt stands as a testament to Dortmund’s rapid growth. The church’s construction began after a nearly three-year search for suitable land. This search which started in 1888 finally concluded in 1891 with a signed purchase agreement. The resulting building designed by Berlin architect Vollmer boasted 1100 seats. Each seat offered an unobstructed view of the clergyman a detail of which the congregation was quite proud.
Cost constraints however led to a compromise. Instead of a solid vault the Johannes-Kirche received a painted wooden ceiling. Despite this the church was described as beautiful and welcoming at its consecration. The Johannes-Kirche also distinguished itself with Dortmund’s most beautiful church forecourt. The church’s tower wasn’t centrally located but positioned on the northwest corner. This was due to the church’s location at the confluence of Jäger- and Bornstraße. These streets were narrower then than they are today. This unusual placement allowed for attractive landscaping which contributed to the Johannes-Kirche’s reputation.
The Johannes-Kirche’s altar was a generous gift. An elderly couple donated it to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Sadly the husband passed away before the church’s consecration preventing him from seeing his gift in place. The church’s two sets of communion chalices and pitchers were also donations. Architect Vollmer designed them. The Reinoldi-Gemeinde representatives the evangelical workers’ association and confirmands of the years 1895 and 1896 contributed to their creation.
The tower housed the bells in an open belfry. Its clock with its far-visible numerals designed by Dortmund clockmaker Wilhelm Orthmann was also a point of pride. The church’s consecration on October 17 1895 was a grand affair. It began with a service at the Reinoldi-Kirche. A large procession followed. The streets leading to the Johannes-Kirche were adorned with flags.
After speeches by architect Vollmer and Generalsuperintendent Rebe Pastor Fluhme opened the Johannes-Kirche. The celebration inside was so well-attended that many had to leave for lack of space. The new pastor Jucho was installed at the same ceremony. This dual celebration was at the presbytery’s request. Pastor Jucho a native of Dortmund delivered his first sermon. He had previously served as an assistant preacher in Hombruch for two and a half years. A festive meal followed at the Fredenbaum hall along with a congregation meeting.
World War I brought changes. All members of the Reinoldi-Gemeinde who lived north of the railway line were transferred to the Johannes-Kirche. The pastor of the Johannes-Kirche became a member of the Reinoldi presbytery and a joint property management was established. This proved beneficial for the further expansion of church infrastructure. Rectories and the custodian’s house were built on Jägerstraße. The Johanneum a large community center was also built on Kielstraße. A kindergarten and sewing room followed on Heroldstraße. The war however also necessitated the sacrifice of three bronze bells which were replaced with steel ones. A memorial chapel was added to honor the over 900 Johannes-Gemeinde members lost at the front.
World War II had even more devastating consequences. On May 24 1943 the Johannes-Kirche almost completely burned down. Only the outer walls and the tower survived. A simple makeshift chapel was sufficient for the small number of surviving congregants. This chapel was later moved to the Johanneum which also needed repairs after the war. More than 50 years after its consecration the Reinoldi-Gemeinde granted the Johannes-Gemeinde independence. Within a decade the Lukas-Gemeinde split off. This led to a decline in the Johannes-Gemeinde’s size eliminating the need for such a large church. The widening of Born- and Jägerstraße as part of the Nordstadt urban renewal project eliminated the Johannes-Kirche’s beautiful forecourt.
In 1971 a new community center near the old church was completed. Services were moved there. Only the church tower remains today devoid of its once tall spire. A plaque on its west side lists donors who contributed more than 500 marks to the 1998 “Bells for Johannes” campaign. The former Johanneum on Kielstraße has served as Dortmund’s central mosque for several decades. It was the first mosque in Germany officially recognized by Turkey.