Imagine Hummelsbüttel in the early 1950s. Germany was recovering. Resources were scarce. Yet, faith flourished. Here stands the Christophoruskirche. It is a testament to that era’s resilience.
This is the Christophoruskirche in Hamburg-Hummelsbüttel. It is an Evangelical Lutheran church. It was built shortly after World War II. Construction occurred in the early 1950s. Despite limited resources, it rose. Today, it is a protected monument.
The cornerstone was laid on August 31, 1952. They chose the name of Saint Christopher early on. The topping-out ceremony was celebrated quickly on October 10, 1952. The nave was built from late 1952 to mid-1953. It was consecrated on August 9, 1953.
A confirmation hall is integrated into its west side. The organ loft sits above this hall. Additional rooms complement the building. The confirmation hall and side rooms can connect to the worship space. The main room seats 150. The seating arrangement omits a center aisle. The building is rectangular. This includes the confirmation hall, vestibules, and chancel.
The copper-covered tower is 26 meters high. It was built from 1954 to 1955. A closed passage connects it to the nave. Since 1980, the church forecourt is paved with granite. It also features gravel areas. Bernhard Hopp and Rudolf Jäger were the architects. They designed both the church and the tower. The Christophorus Haus, an old people’s home, opened nearby in 1967.
Fritz Fleer created the altar’s bronze decorations in 1953. A crucifix hangs freely above the altar. It is suspended by chains. Two candlesticks and a relief of the Emmaus meal sit on the altar. Pulpit and font were added in 1956. Maria Pirwitz added inlays in 1960. These were renovated and partly changed in 1971. W and H Traxel made parts of the silver furnishings around 1950. This includes the baptismal bowl and communion jug. Fleer also created the bronze Easter candlestick. It has been part of the furnishings since 1969.
Bronze candle holders hang on the north and south walls. These were added in 1961. Bible verses run along the upper part of the walls. On the north wall, it says “Lord, I love the place where your house stands.” The south wall reads “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come”.
The church tower houses five bronze bells. Rincker foundry cast four bells on February 27, 1957. These were consecrated on Easter Sunday. They became the Advent, Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost bells. The largest bell followed on October 30 of the same year. It was consecrated as the Eternity Bell on November 10. There is also a small prayer bell in the west gable. It is called the Lord’s Prayer bell. It dates back to the 14th century. It originally came from Steinborn in Silesia.
Since 1956, the Christophoruskirche owns an organ. It came from Ernst Brandt’s workshop. Orgelbau Erbslöh renovated it in 2000.
The Christophoruskirche stands not only as a place of worship. It also serves as a symbol of hope. Its history reflects Hamburg’s post-war recovery. The bells call to services still today. The architecture reminds us of simpler times.