Imagine a time of rapid industrial growth. Many young people moved to Bremen. The Friedenskirche was built to address the resulting social challenges.
The Friedenskirche stands here on Humboldtstrasse. It serves Bremen’s Protestant Friedensgemeinde. Let’s delve into the Friedenskirche’s history.
In 1863, the Inner Mission initiated the church’s construction. This aimed to counter what they saw as moral decline. They wanted to combat isolation and poverty in the eastern suburbs. The Friedensgemeinde separated from St. Remberti Gemeinde in 1872.
Simon Loschen designed the Friedenskirche. Johannes Rippe oversaw its construction from 1867 to 1870. The Friedenskirche is a neo-Gothic brick building on an open field. It stands near Klinikum Bremen-Mitte. Originally, the Friedenskirche had a 45-meter-high tower. It was above the crossing. Two smaller octagonal towers flanked it. The chancel was flat and set back. The crossing tower was removed in 1939 during renovations.
Inside the Friedenskirche, notice the wooden ceiling. The altar painting is by Pfannenschmidt. The original bells were cast in 1872. They came from French cannons. Kaiser Wilhelm I gifted them. Today, three bells from 1966 hang in the towers. The parish hall and parsonage are on Wielandstrasse. They date back to 1893.
In 1944, incendiary bombs severely damaged the Friedenskirche. The parish hall was destroyed. Services moved to the Wichernhaus. Reconstruction occurred in 1948 and 1949. A new community center opened in 1968. Carsten Schroeck designed it. Cafe Pax was added to the community center in 2006 and 2007.
Ruth-Elisabeth and Peter van Beeck created the stained-glass windows. Extensive renovations took place in 2019. Walls, pews, and floors were updated. A movie screen was installed behind the altar.
In 1863, the Inner Mission appointed a deacon for the new eastern suburbs. A city missionary followed in 1865. Pastor Otto Funcke became the first mission pastor in 1868. He served the Friedenskirche until 1904. Erich Urban began his service in 1919. During the Nazi era, the congregation faced division. Pastor Urban united the confessing members. After World War II, he became the first secretary of the church committee. Charlotte Schultz also served as a vicar from 1940. She was the first female pastor in the regional church.
The church community was established in 1872. Funcke named it Friedenskirche meaning Peace Church. It belongs to the Bremische Evangelische Kirche. The Friedenskirche and community center host various events. The community runs a daycare center. It also organizes youth and district work. The Kinderschutzzentrum Bremen and Deutscher Kinderschutzbund are in the community center. The Bremer Chorwerkstatt also uses the space.
The Friedensgemeinde welcomes lesbian and gay couples for blessings. However, it declined to host the evangelical Christival event.
In 2004, the Friedenskirche hosted Johann Kresnik’s “Die zehn Gebote” theater project. This sparked controversy. It involved nudity and provocative scenes. Protests occurred. Margot Kassmann opposed the performance in the Friedenskirche.
The Friedenskirche has undergone many changes. It stands as a testament to faith and community. It continues to evolve while serving Bremen.