Gazing up, the Christuskirche in Flensburg stands as a testament to faith. It is a beacon of hope in the Mürwik district. This church has a unique story. It intertwines with the growth of Flensburg and the presence of the German Navy.
Originally, Mürwik was part of the Adelby parish. The area lacked its own church. The construction of the Marineschule Mürwik spurred the idea for a garrison church. Grand plans emerged. They included a castle church with four towers. These plans never materialized due to funding issues. The school’s assembly hall served as a place for worship.
After World War II, Flensburg’s population surged. Mürwik saw a significant increase in residents. This was largely due to refugees. In 1950, Mürwik became an independent parish. The Christuskirche’s construction began. It was built near the Marineschule Mürwik between 1957 and 1958. Bernhard Hopp and Rudolf Jäger from Hamburg designed it. The chapel was soon torn down. Its remains are within the community center.
The Christuskirche was consecrated on November 2, 1958. The German Navy contributed significantly to the construction costs. They donated 250,000 DM of the 630,000 DM total. Since then, it has served as a garrison church for Flensburg-Mürwik. The church had strong ties to the German Navy until the 1990s. The military presence in Mürwik influenced the community. Today, fewer military members live here. The ecumenical Sankt Nikolaus Chapel exists at the Marineschule Mürwik since 2004. The military chaplain remains involved in the Christuskirche community.
Above the entrance, a Bible verse is written in stone. It comes from Revelation 11:15. It declares that the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. Jesus Christ sits above on the rainbow. It is the sign of the covenant. To his sides are two angels. One carries the cross. The other has a lance. Ursula Querner created these shell limestone reliefs.
Inside, the Christuskirche holds a historic treasure. The cross comes from around 1500. It once hung in a late Gothic church in Wilster. Charles Crodel and Vera von Claer-Crodel created the altar retable in 1958. Vera also crafted the altar for the Handewitt church.
The Christuskirche’s interior is simple. It features traditional elements. Pews line the nave. An organ fills the space with music. In 2003, the organ was replaced. The Mühleisen organ has more registers. The church publishes a newsletter. It is called Die Brücke, meaning The Bridge.
The Mühleisen organ was built in 2003. It has 30 registers. They are spread across two manuals and a pedal. The action is mechanical.
The Christuskirche stands opposite the Marinesiedlung. It is a reminder of Mürwik’s past. It looks to the future. Once a month, the Flensburg Children’s Cinema shows films here. The entry fee is just one euro. The Christuskirche remains a vibrant part of Mürwik.