Envision a space where faith meets service, that is the essence of the Diakoniekirche. The evangelische Diakonissenkirche stands in Frankfurt’s Nordend district. It serves as a place of worship for the congregation of the Frankfurter Diakonissenhauses. This congregation belongs to the Evangelischen Kirche in Hessen und Nassau.
The Diakonissen movement began in the 19th century. Theodor Fliedner founded the first Diakonissenhaus in 1836. Its purpose was to help the sick and needy. In 1861, the Diakonissenverein zu Frankfurt am Main was created. Consequently, a Diakonissenhaus was established in 1874. Among the founders were five women. Four were pastors and one was a lawyer. They represented the Lutheran, French-Reformed, and German-Reformed congregations. Initially, deaconesses from Karlsruhe provided service. In 1870, the first superior was introduced. The Diakonissenhaus at Eschersheimer Landstraße 122 became independent. The Diakonissen community was also a Lutheran parish since 1911.
An initial chapel was established in the Diakonissenhaus in 1874. It soon became too small. A new church was built according to the plans of architect Alfred Günther. It was completed in 1897. The Gothic Revival building in the form of a basilica had a sick lodge. This allowed patients to participate in the service. The church was destroyed in World War II during the air raids on Frankfurt am Main.
In April 1945, the U.S. military government seized the Diakonissen site. An alternative accommodation was found in Villa Manskopf. It was located at Oberforsthaus in Frankfurt-Niederrad until 1955. A church hall was set up there. After returning to Nordend, services were held in a military barrack. It had been converted into an emergency church. Gradually, various buildings were constructed. This included the Diakonissenkrankenhaus. Architects Meixner and Lueken were commissioned for the new church building. The new Diakonissenkirche was dedicated on December 6, 1959. In 1989, a fundamental renovation was carried out. The architects were Josef Eisenbach and Hans Staiger.
The Diakonissenkirche is located in the Holzhausen district. It is in the middle of the neighborhood. It sits between Eschersheimer Landstraße, Cronstettenstraße, Eysseneckstraße, and Holzhausenstraße. It is accessible from Cronstettenstrasse. The church has a cruciform, east-facing layout. It measures nearly 30 meters in length. It is approximately 22 meters wide in the area of the transept. The plastered, simple building features a tower facade in the west. This marks the entrance. The gable roof is covered with slate.
The altar stands in the area of the crossing. The organ and choir are arranged laterally in the altar area. Altar, baptismal font, and pulpit were created by the sculptor Renate Goller. The ring of lights above the altar comes from the workshop of Gotthold Schönwandt. The stained glass windows in the altar area and the candle table were designed by Hans Staiger.
The organ from 1960 has 16 stops and 2 manuals. It was made by Werner Bosch Orgelbau. In 1989, it was expanded to 18 registers.
The Diakonissenkirche has four bells. They were made by the Rincker bell foundry in 1959. The bells carry inscriptions. One says Herr bleibe bei uns. Another says Fülle uns frühe mit deiner Gnade. A third says Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn. The last says Wo ich bin, da soll mein Diener auch sein. Remember the Diakoniekirche as more than just a building. See it as a symbol of faith, service, and community in the heart of Frankfurt.