Recall the tale of Rüppurr’s evolving spiritual heart as we stand before the Auferstehungskirche. The Auferstehungskirche is an evangelical church in Karlsruhe’s Rüppurr district.
Once upon a time, the Nikolauskirche served the Protestant community. But by the late 19th century, it became too small. Its location was also deemed inconvenient. Dean Philipp Roth and Pastor Lebrecht Mayer lobbied for a new church. They wanted to counter the rise of social democracy. The new building was designed to symbolize the bond between “Throne and Altar”. This was reflected in its design.
The Auferstehungskirche was conceived as a classic, neobaroque building. Initial plans included modern elements by Rudolf Burckhardt. However, these were removed. A three-aisled structure emerged. It featured a large transept and space-saving galleries. Notably, an apse was omitted. A raised pulpit altar stood at the end of the crossing.
Above the entrance, a statue of Christ was erected. It intentionally echoed a figure in Copenhagen’s Frauenkirche. Initially, they wanted a copy. That did not happen.
Bernhard Schneider painted the Ascension of Christ behind the altar. He had studied with Hans Thoma. To save costs, terracotta was used instead of marble. The vaults were made of wire mesh instead of stone. The tower’s design sparked debate. The lower section is plastered rubble masonry. The upper part is red sandstone. It came from a quarry on the Main river.
The foundation stone was laid on June 2, 1907. In the presence of the Grand Duke, the church was consecrated on October 4, 1908. It was then known as the “Evangelical Church Rüppurr”.
For the church’s 50th anniversary, it was extensively renovated. The pulpit altar was removed. It was now considered an unsuitable “command bridge”. Gisbert von Teuffel and Erich Rossmann created a new pulpit. Edzard Hobbing created a brass crucifix behind the altar. The interior’s color scheme was also changed. At this time, it received a new name: Auferstehungskirche. This name was chosen in view of the standard.
Fifty years later, the original interior colors were partially restored. A 17th-century crucifix was placed in the transept. It had previously been in the sacristy. Some pews were removed. This created more space for other activities.
The Karlsruher firm Hans Drinneberg created the windows. Hans Rieger designed them. He followed the builder’s specifications.
The large windows in the transept depict Luther at the Reichstag in Worms. They also show him with Philipp Melanchthon translating the Bible. A portrait of Pastor Lebrecht Mayer was included.
The other windows are designed as medallions. They depict pairs including Moses and David. Also, the apostles Peter and Paul. Paul Gerhard and King Gustav Adolf of Sweden are shown. Knight Bat von Ripborg and Aloys Henhöfer are featured. Markgraf Karl Friedrich and Grand Duke Friedrich I are present. Otto von Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm I also appear.
Private individuals donated the windows. They are named in the windows. Today the Auferstehungskirche stands as a testament to faith. It reflects history and artistic expression. It connects generations through its evolving story.