The imposing structure before you stands as a testament to resilience. This is the Erlöserkirche in Frankfurt-Oberrad. A church rebuilt from ashes.
Its story begins not with its current form but with a much older predecessor. A small village church dedicated to Saint Margaretha. This humble building served the community from 1270. It stood on the south side of the Offenbacher Landstraße. Then came the dawn of the 20th century. A time of growth and change. The decision was made to build a new church. The old church was repurposed. It became a storage facility. Tragedy struck in 1943. A fire reduced the old Saint Margaretha church to ruins. These ruins were later demolished. New homes now stand where the old church once stood.
The Erlöserkirche we see today is the replacement. Construction began between 1912 and 1914. Architect Karl Blattner designed it. He blended elements of Historicism and Neoclassicism. It wasn’t just a church. The Erlöserkirche was part of a larger project. A community center that also included a school and a daycare.
A pivotal figure in the Erlöserkirche’s history was Johann Georg Probst. He served as the parish priest from 1925 to 1939. Initially a supporter of the Nazi party. He later became a vocal critic of the regime. He openly condemned the persecution of Frankfurt’s Jewish community. This act of courage led to his arrest. He was later forced to leave Frankfurt.
The Second World War brought devastation. An air raid on October 4 1943 completely destroyed the Erlöserkirche. Further attacks thwarted attempts at reconstruction. By March 18 1944. The church along with the parish house and sacristy was in ruins.
But from these ashes hope arose. The Erlöserkirche was rebuilt according to plans by Alfred Schild. The dedication ceremony was held on March 18 1956. The church’s striking exterior features a relief created by Knud Knudsen in 1961. The relief is titled Christian Faith in the Atomic Age. This shows figures and reliefs made of cement and mosaic-like artificial stone. The imagery depicts humanity’s redemption through Jesus Christ. A beam of light symbolizes God’s love illuminating a cross. The bell tower stands over a walkway forming an arcade.
The interior is equally compelling. The semi-circular altar is highlighted by a large skylight. Circular windows in the west and tall rectangular windows in the east cast a beautiful light. The windows are made of antique glass. Their design was based on suggestions from Johann Georg Christian.
Many original pieces survived the war’s destruction. These include a 15th-century tabernacle and a 1703 crucifixion group. Both are made of sandstone. The Erlöserkirche is an inspiring story. A story of faith resilience and community spirit. Its very existence is a testament to the enduring power of hope. A place of worship where history and faith intertwine.