The grand doors of the Historischer Gemeindesaal der Ev. Erlöserkirche beckon. Step inside.
This isn’t just any hall. This is the heart of the Evangelische Erlöser-Kirchengemeinde in Bonn. It’s a place where history whispers from the walls. It’s a place of community faith and vibrant culture. The Historischer Gemeindesaal der Ev. Erlöserkirche stands proudly on Kronprinzenstraße. It’s more than a meeting place. It’s a living testament to Bonn’s rich history.
Our story begins long ago. The Erlöserkirche itself wasn’t always known by that name. It only received this name in 1953. Before that it was a church closely tied to Julius Axenfeld. He was the second pastor of the Evangelical community in Godesberg. He inherited a small congregation in 1870. It had just over 100 members. It had only become independent from Bonn in 1861. They met in a private chapel built in 1858 by Freiherr von Rigal.
Imagine the growth. By 1895 the congregation had swelled to 2000 members. Many were Evangelical merchants from cities like Cologne Elberfeld and Krefeld. They were drawn to the beauty of this Rhine area. This dramatic increase clearly demonstrated the need for a new church. Plans to expand the Rigal chapel were abandoned. The choice of location caused much debate. In 1876/77 a suitable site was finally purchased in Rüngsdorf. It was a greenfield site between the town of Godesberg and the village of Rüngsdorf. Axenfeld championed this location showing great courage and foresight.
The construction of the “new Evangelical church in Rüngsdorf” as it was then called was swift. It only took two years. Hermann Cuno a government building master from Marburg created the plans. Louis Pampel the architect brought them to life. On July 1 1880 the church was dedicated. It was a grand celebration. Even members of the neighboring Catholic community attended. Julius Axenfeld opened the main portal. The congregation entered singing “Praise the Lord the mighty King of glory”.
The exterior of the Erlöserkirche is striking. A two-story brick hall-like structure features a prominent tower and a three-sided apse. Single-story sacristies flank it. The neo-Romanesque style is evident in the facade’s design. Inside however is a rectangular space. It boasts a classic simplicity with a flat wooden beamed ceiling. A triumphal arch separates the main hall from the semi-circular apse. The interior has been altered countless times over the years. Older members may recall a Thorvaldsen-style baptismal angel. After a major interior renovation in 1956 it found its final resting place in a Rüngsdorf cemetery. The beautiful Schuke/Potsdam organ dates back to 1969.
The Historischer Gemeindesaal der Ev. Erlöserkirche continues to serve the community. It’s a vibrant hub for concerts meetings and countless other events. A space where history resonates in every note and every conversation. A place where past present and future intertwine. Isn’t it remarkable?