Triumphantly standing here is the Friedenskirche. This church embodies resilience and hope. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its community.
Let me tell you about the Friedenskirche. It is more than just a building. It is a symbol of peace and renewal in Muenster. The Friedenskirche serves the Gremmendorf and Angelmodde communities. This simple single-nave chapel boasts a solid construction and a hipped roof. Atop the roof, a small bell tower houses two bells.
Now, let us jump back in time. In 1930, the “Evangelische Kirchbauverein Gremmendorf” formed. But the church faced initial resistance. The overall Muenster congregation saw no need for another church. World War II further delayed the project.
After the war, everything changed. The Protestant population soared due to the influx of refugees. A church was needed. Rudolf Borchers designed a chapel. In 1952, construction began on what was then called “Kapelle Muenster-Gremmendorf”. Bernhard Fuessmann, an architect from Muenster, oversaw the building process. Construction faced an immediate setback. Workers found an unexploded bomb just days after breaking ground. Despite this interruption, the community laid the foundation stone in July. They celebrated the topping-out ceremony in September. On the fourth Advent in 1952, the Friedenskirche was finally consecrated. It became Muenster’s first post-World War II church.
In 1954, the Wolbeck congregation was formed. It included Albersloh, Angelmodde, Gremmendorf, and Wolbeck. Later, the Gnadenkirche in Albersloh in 1956 and the Christuskirche in Wolbeck in 1965, were constructed.
Significant changes came in 1977. The Friedenskirche originally had four sections. These included the altar area, the main church space, a separate community room, and a youth room above that could serve as a gallery. The renovation for the 25th anniversary changed the layout. The altar area was enlarged. The door between the church and community rooms was removed.
In 1979, the Wolbeck congregation was divided due to growth. The Friedens-Kirchengemeinde Muenster was established. It was named after the existing church. The Friedenskirche gained landmark status in 2002. In 2004 and 2005, the youth center was replaced with a new community center. The north wall of the Friedenskirche was removed to connect the church to the new center.
Listen closely now. The smaller bell is tuned to A. It bears the inscription: “O Land, Land, Land, hear the word of the Lord”. The larger bell is tuned to F sharp. It reads: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth”. The bells were cast on October 3, 1952. The first bell ringing was on November 22, 1952.
In 1978 and 1979, the Führer organ from Wilhelmshaven was installed. It was dedicated with a concert on May 4, 1979. Martin Blindow, an organ expert, designed the organ. It has nine registers across two manuals and a pedal. Its sound is Baroque in style.
Beside the altar, you will see a medieval Christ figure. This statue dates back to around 1520. It was likely crafted in southern Germany from limewood. The original colors are gone. The figure raises its right hand in blessing.
Seventy years on, the Friedenskirche continues to stand. It is a beacon of hope. Its history reflects faith and community spirit. Remember the Friedenskirche. It is a place where peace and hope have been built.