Once a beacon of faith now a canvas of community. Here stands the Johanneskirche Manfort. Inaugurated in March 1954 this Protestant church was designed by architect Otto Bartning. It was part of the “Notkirchenprogramm” after World War II. This program aimed to build emergency churches in West Germany.
Bartning’s design was one of the last of its kind. Today the Johanneskirche Manfort stands as a protected monument. It served the congregation in the Leverkusen church district. In 2018 it merged with the Leverkusen-Wiesdorf parish. Together they formed the Leverkusen-Mitte parish.
However times change. On November 29 2020 the Johanneskirche Manfort was deconsecrated. But its story doesn’t end there. The site is set for a transformation. A neighborhood center is planned. It will feature a youth center. Also a housing group for people with disabilities will be added. The existing daycare center will expand to accommodate 90 children. The project aims to be completed in 2022.
The Johanneskirche Manfort itself will largely remain. The facade the gallery and the church windows will be preserved. They serve as reminders of its past.
Let’s step back to its construction. From 1953 to 1954 Otto Bartning’s plans took shape. In 1956 the Peter company from Cologne installed a two-manual organ. It was their Opus 93. In 2010 the Fasen company fundamentally rebuilt and expanded it. The organ featured various couplers and a tremulant for the swell. It also had a setter system. The organ has since been removed. It was given to a Catholic church in Poland.
The Johanneskirche Manfort evolved over time. It adapted to the needs of the community. From a place of worship to a community hub it represents change. The Johanneskirche Manfort stands as a testament to resilience and renewal.