Once Steele was merely a vision. The Friedenskirche Steele stands here today a testament to faith and resilience. It is located on Kaiser-Wilhelm-Straße. This church has been a cornerstone of the Kirchengemeinde Königssteele for centuries.
Let’s journey back to the 17th century. The seeds of this community were sown. The old name “Königssteele” still echoes in the community’s identity. Most members reside right here in Essen-Steele.
The Friedenskirche’s story truly begins in 1871. The community needed a new church. The old one built in 1697 was too small. The cornerstone was laid on June 18, 1871. This day coincided with a day of peace celebrations after the Franco-Prussian War. This gave the Friedenskirche Steele its name. The Friedenskirche was dedicated on November 14, 1872.
Look closely at the architecture. The Friedenskirche is 38.80 meters long and 17 meters wide. It stands 11 meters high. This is a modest but striking design. It features a neo-Gothic style. Tuff stone clads the exterior. Inside, you’ll find a five-bay, three-aisled hall with galleries. The chancel is on the east side. Four sandstone pillars support its cross vaults. Notice the small paired windows beneath the galleries. These are characteristic of an Evangelical church.
Originally, the south door was to be the main entrance. However, the tower entrance has always been preferred. The tower stands 56 meters tall on the west side. The old tower clock’s mechanism is visible in the church’s rear. Staircases to the galleries flank the tower. Separate entrances lead to these staircases.
Inside the Friedenskirche Steele, about 600 people can sit. Around 300 seats are on the galleries. The pews are made of fir wood. Oak adorns the pulpit and altar carvings. The Gothic retable is particularly noteworthy. The altar table and steps use Parisian stone.
An oil painting hangs above the altar. It depicts “The Adoration of the Shepherds”. Adolf Gottlob Zimmermann, a Düsseldorf artist, created it around 1830. The painting came from the old church. It is unusual for an Evangelical church to have such a prominent artwork.
A lead-glazed opening catches the eye. It’s shaped like a cross. It sits in the wall between the sacristy and the aisle. The Greek letters C and R are engraved in the chancel’s ceiling vault. These stand for Christós, the Greek word for Christ.
The Friedenskirche acquired a baptismal font in 1990. Its Gothic style matches the building. Before that, they used a baptismal bowl. The Friedenskirche’s three bells date back to 1920. They resonate with the tones D, F, and A flat. Martin Luther’s words adorn each bell. One proclaims, “A mighty fortress is our God”. Another says, “The word they shall let stand”. The last declares, “The kingdom must remain ours”.
Mining has impacted the Friedenskirche. Coal seams lie close to the surface here. These caused damage. Cracks appeared soon after the Friedenskirche was built. The original stone vault had to be replaced with wood in 1909. In the 1980s, large voids were found during the installation of underfloor heating. These were filled with concrete.
In May 2006, the Friedenskirche Steele gained a new organ. It follows Baroque principles. It has 34 registers, divided between two manuals and a pedal. The organ contains 2036 pipes. Eight pipes are from the Friedenskirche’s previous organ around 1840. Matthias Wagner from the Palatinate designed and built it.
The Friedenskirche is more than bricks and mortar. The Kirchenchor and the Madrigalchor Königssteele enrich the community. They offer diverse musical programs.
The Friedenskirche Steele stands as a symbol of peace. It represents community and continuity. It is a place where history and faith intertwine.