Could you ever envision a church where artistic expression once sparked controversy? That’s the Ansgarkirche in Hamburg-Langenhorn. It is a testament to faith and evolving artistic tastes.
The Ansgarkirche was built in 1929 and 1930. It stands as the first church in the Langenhorn district. Architects Herrmann Geissler and Otto Wilkening designed it.
The Ansgarkirche features a cubic brick building. It has a hipped roof and a slender tower. Inside, you’ll discover a traditional layout. Side aisles and a semicircular apse give it a classic feel. A community hall is integrated into the structure. This makes the Ansgarkirche appear larger than its worship space suggests. The church underwent a complete renovation in 2011.
A large wooden cross dominates the altar area. The black and white reproductions catch your eye. These are copies of altar paintings intended for the church. Anita Rée designed them in 1931. However, the church board rejected them in 1935. The originals were moved to St. Nikolai church. They were likely destroyed during World War II bombings. The triptych depicted the Passion of Christ. It included the Entry into Jerusalem. It also included the Last Supper and the Arrest in Gethsemane.
In recent years, the Ansgarkirche has reclaimed a piece of its history. In 2018, the church acquired two original sketches. These were Rée’s designs for the rejected altarpiece. The sketches depict the Entry into Jerusalem. The other depicts the Arrest in Gethsemane.
Originally, the Ansgarkirche had three steel bells. They were tuned to E, G, and A. By 2008 they needed replacing due to age. Today, three bronze bells ring out. These bells came from the Kapernaum Church. Each bell bears inscriptions. The largest reads: “See, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Two of the old steel bells remain. They stand outside the Ansgarkirche.
Hans Henny Jahnn designed the organ. The firm P. Furtwängler & Hammer installed it in 1931. The pipework remains original. It has undergone restoration. This makes it one of the few preserved Jahnn organs. It was one of the first large organs. It had a mechanical action as part of the organ movement. The registers are divided. Feminine voices are on the left. Masculine voices are on the right.
The Ansgarkirche stands not just as a building. It is a living testament to faith. It is a place where art, music, and community intertwine.