Can you imagine a church built during the rise of Nazi Germany? That’s the Lutherkirche in Lübeck. It stands as a testament to a turbulent time.
The Lutherkirche wasn’t just any church. It was erected during the National Socialist era. This makes it one of the few churches of its kind. The Lutherkirche is located in St Lorenz Süd. This is a suburb of Lübeck.
Back in 1913, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lübeck decided to build a community hall. It would also include a parsonage for the church’s third clergyman. The location was to be on the property at Moislinger Allee 96. Architects Glogner & Vermehren won the competition. But World War I, inflation, and the global economic crisis delayed the church’s construction.
In 1914, the community hall was inaugurated. It served for regular services and events. The plan for a church was still alive. In 1935, construction finally began on the Lutherkirche. Interestingly, the same architects from the community hall project were chosen.
At that time, the southern part of the parish was becoming independent. It took the name Luthergemeinde. The first children’s service was held on November 1, 1914. By November 29, 1914, the Luthergemeinde was officially founded.
The architects had already submitted plans for the church during the initial competition. However, the war and economic hardships prevented their execution. In 1923, a wooden bell tower was erected. It held two bells. The smaller one dated back to 1399. It originally hung in the Katharinenkirche. The larger bell was cast in 1510. It came from the Maria Magdalenen Church.
In 1933, buildings were ordered to fly the Reich flag. The Luthergemeinde erected a flagpole on the lawn outside the Luther building. By the end of 1935, the decision to build a new church was made.
The Lübeck State Church strongly supported this project. The Luthergemeinde was seen as exemplary by the church leadership. Johannes Sievers was a strong advocate. He was also the chairman of the Luthergemeinde’s church board.
In 1936, the old community hall was torn down. This made way for a larger church. The brick church reflected the architectural ideas of the German Christians. For example, it was oriented to the north not to the east. The Lutherkirche was consecrated on October 31, 1937. In 1938, a statue of Martin Luther was placed at the entrance. It was created by Lübeck artist Fritz Behn.
Pastor Karl Friedrich Stellbrink served at the Lutherkirche. He was later executed. After World War II, three pastors who had served since 1933 were dead.
After the war, Gerhard M. Gülzow made the church known. He gathered displaced people from Danzig in Lübeck.
In 2000, the Luthergemeinde merged with the Melanchthon congregation. They formed the Luther-Melanchthon congregation. In 2014, extensive renovations took place. The exhibition about the four Lübeck martyrs was updated. Today, the Lutherkirche is a memorial site.
Originally, the altar featured oversized sculptures. These sculptures depicted a German family. In 1990, the church board removed the figures. In 2014, a competition was held to redesign the altar. Werner Mally won. He created a mural.
The Lutherkirche’s original bells included one from 1510. Today, it is the second oldest active bell in Lübeck.
After World War I, a memorial was planned for the fallen. Erich Klahn designed three stained glass windows. The central window depicted Mary with the dead Christ. Today, only a fragment of the memorial remains.
The Lutherkirche stands not only as a religious building but also as a historical landmark. It represents a complex chapter in Lübeck’s story. It invites reflection on faith. It encourages us to think about the past. The Lutherkirche is a place where history and spirituality meet.