Beneath this seemingly simple brick facade lies a story. It is the story of St. Johannis. This is Bremen’s only surviving monastery church.
St. Johannis began as a Franciscan abbey church in the 14th century. Brothers of the Franciscan order had been in Bremen since 1237. By 1288, they had a monastery here. In 1294, they began acquiring land. This suggests they planned to build a new, larger church. Construction began around 1300. The church was consecrated in 1327. This impressive three-aisled hall church with its long chancel emerged.
The Reformation brought big changes. The monastery closed in 1528. Bremen’s first hospital and mental asylum opened here in 1538. The church served as a hospital chapel. It even hosted Protestant services when other churches were being renovated. From 1684, Huguenots and Belgian refugees held services here. The monastery served as Bremen’s hospital until the mid-17th century. Later, it became a retirement home.
The church faced a near-miss in the early 19th century. From 1802, only the chancel was used for services. There were plans to turn the nave into a warehouse. But Napoleon’s invasion put an end to that idea. In 1806, the Catholic community was officially recognized again. It acquired the church in 1816. It was then rededicated in 1823 after restoration work.
The area around St. Johannis was raised by two meters in 1834. This was to prevent flooding. The church floor was raised by three meters. This created a large cellar. For years, it was rented out to pay off debts. Since 1992, it has housed a crypt. It is now used for school and student services. Prayer and meditation groups also use it.
Look closely at the exterior. Notice the bricked-up choir windows. These hint at the changes made in the 1820s. St. Johannis is a prime example of Brick Gothic architecture. All three naves are under one large roof. The west gable is divided into three sections. Paired pointed arch windows adorn each section. The gable’s peak features a circular panel with a hexagram. This was added in 1878 during roof repairs.
Originally, St. Johannis had no tower. This was in keeping with Franciscan rules. But the church does have a flèche. It houses three bells from 1994.
Step inside St. Johannis. Find the baptismal font. It was created in 1845 in the Neo-Gothic style. It depicts the baptism. A serpent representing evil slinks away. The stained-glass windows were created between 1955 and 1957. They depict important saints. These include John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and Francis. Local saints are also represented.
In 1965, residential houses were built on the monastery grounds. These buildings have been listed since 1973. In 1994, a new altar was installed. Johannes Niemeier created it from Savonnières limestone.
St. Johannis underwent extensive renovations in 2016. It reopened in October 2016. A new sacristy was built. The brick facades were repaired. The interior was repainted. New lighting and sound systems were installed.
Today, St. Johannis stands as a testament to Bremen’s history. It has been a Franciscan church, a hospital chapel, and a refuge for religious minorities. Now it is a Catholic parish church. St. Johannis continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of Bremen’s spiritual landscape.