Perhaps you’ve pondered the story behind this serene space. Unbeflecktes Herz Mariens in Wedel carries a rich history within its walls. Let’s step back in time.
In 1891 a sugar factory sprouted in Wedel. It drew Catholic workers from Upper Silesia and Poland. Initially, a priest from St. Josef in Altona cared for them. By 1899 the factory employed 500 workers. Many were Catholic. In 1900, they built and blessed the St. Isidor Chapel on this very land. Wedel became an independent parish in 1904.
The parish grew significantly after World War II. Catholic refugees arrived. Later workers and families came from Catholic regions of Germany. Catholic job seekers and refugees from across the globe found a home here.
The first documented church in Wedel dates back to 1311. It was dedicated to St. Ansgar. In 1561 Wedel became the last community in Schleswig-Holstein to turn Protestant.
Fast forward to the 20th century. The sugar factory closed in 1932. The Catholic Young Men’s Association was founded in 1933. In 1936 the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Name of Mary began their service. The Catholic school shut down in 1938. Kolping disbanded.
A devastating air raid struck on March 3 1943. It caused significant damage to parish buildings. In 1945 Wedel surrendered. English troops marched in. Catholic refugees quadrupled the Catholic population to 2000. Kolping was re-established.
In 1952, a factory owner named Wieschebrink donated four bells. These were for the new church being built. St. Marien Church was consecrated on August 9 1954. A kindergarten called Maria Hilf opened in 1956. The church tower with its spire was constructed in 1958.
The Isidorkirchlein was torn down in 1962. The first parish hall was built in 1963. A major redesign of the church interior followed the Council in 1967. Wedel was elevated to a parish in 1968.
The Working Group of Christian Churches in Wedel formed in 1971. Nineteen Catholic Vietnamese people arrived in Wedel in 1980. The sisters departed Wedel in 1984.
The Archdiocese of Hamburg was re-established in 1995. At Easter the new pipe organ played for the first time. In 1999 the Steyler Missionaries set up a small convent in Wedel. The parishes of Uetersen and Wedel became the parish of Heilig-Geist.
The Steyler Missionaries left Wedel in 2009. Ansgar Hawighorst became the new pastor. Stefan Langer of Elmshorn became the parish administrator in 2012.
On October 21 2018, the Catholic parishes of Elmshorn, Halstenbek, Pinneberg, Uetersen and Quickborn merged. They formed the parish of Heiliger Martin. Stefan Langer became the first pastor of the new parish. Heiko Kiehn became pastor in 2020.
Note the windows. Frans Griesenbrock designed the glass for Unbeflecktes Herz Mariens during a renovation. Two large three-part windows grace the altar area. Four smaller windows line the side walls. A large round window sits on the organ gallery. The side windows are abstract. The round window shows Mary with the baby Jesus. Six heads surround them. This may depict the Virgin Mary amidst other virgin saints. It references the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The church you see before you was erected between 1952 and 1954 by the architect Breuer. A significant interior renovation took place in 1967. This followed the Second Vatican Council. Unbeflecktes Herz Mariens continues to be a testament to faith, community and art.