Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche

In 1932, the Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche first opened its doors. It stands as a testament to the resilience and faith of the Mainz-Amöneburg community. The church’s very existence is a story of overcoming adversity. The initial fundraising efforts, started in 1902, suffered a major setback. 25,000 Reichsmark, intended for the construction, were lost as war bonds. Undeterred, the community rallied. They raised funds again, securing support from the Gustav-Adolf-Werk. This enabled the laying of the foundation stone in 1931. The Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche was dedicated just a year later, a beacon of hope in challenging times. The church’s name honors the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, a champion of Protestant faiths during the Thirty Years’ War. The church’s design, a striking example of Brick Expressionism, is the work of Stadtbaudirektor a. D. Adolf Gelius. Peter Gustav Röhl oversaw the construction. As you stand before the Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche, take a moment to appreciate the intricate brick ornamentation on the façade. It proudly displays the inscription “GOTT = UNSERE HILFE GUSTAV ADOLF zum Gedächnis”. Three significant dates mark this inscription: 1632, the year of Gustav II Adolf’s death; 1832, the founding year of the Gustav-Adolf-Werk; and 1932, the year the church was consecrated. The portal’s freestanding columns, with their scroll-like tops, evoke the image of adorned Torah scrolls. Inside, the Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche reveals a three-aisled sanctuary. A dark, flat wooden ceiling not only adds to the aesthetic but also creates exceptional acoustics. The apse is adorned with a golden cross. The dome bears the inscription “FRIEDE SEI MIT EUCH” (Peace be with you), a message of hope and serenity. While World War II largely spared the church, the organ suffered water damage from a nearby air mine. It was fully restored in 2001, its two manuals and pedal once again bringing music to the sanctuary. The church bells, likely melted down for war purposes, were replaced in 1958 by three new bells, cast by the Rincker Foundry in Sinn. Each bell carries a unique inscription. The large bell proclaims “Glaubet ihr nicht, so bleibet ihr nicht” (If you do not believe, you will not remain). The medium bell, a gift from Juanita Dyckerhoff, bears the inscription “Lasset uns Gutes tun und nicht müde werden” (Let us do good and not become weary). The inscription on the smallest bell, hanging high in the tower, remains a mystery. The Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche, now part of the Oranier-Gedächtnisgemeinde, continues to serve its community. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the importance of remembering those who fought for religious freedom.