A question arises: Did you know that the Katholisch Apostolische Kirche in Lüneburg stands as a testament to the city’s evolving religious landscape? This church is a part of the Pfarrgemeinde St. Marien. The parish also includes the Ökumenische Zentrum St. Stephanus. Christ-König-Kirche in Adendorf belongs to it too. St. Godehard-Kirche in Amelinghausen is a part of the parish.
St. Marien’s story began long before this building existed. With the Reformation, Lüneburg became largely evangelisch. For a long time, the Catholic mass was not held here. The last mass took place in St.-Michaelis-Kirche in 1532.
However, the 19th century brought industrialization. This brought a need for workers. Many Catholics came to Lüneburg again. In 1850, a Catholic mission station was founded. Services were first held in the “Kettenstrafanstalt”. Soon after, the Catholic parish of Lüneburg was established. Its territory was huge. It included Hamburg-Harburg and other distant places.
A Catholic church began construction in 1854. It was located on Wallstraße. The foundation stone was laid in 1855. In 1857, the first service was held in St. Marien Kirche. The church was built in the Brick Gothic style. Bishop Eduard Jakob Wedekin consecrated it in 1858. The church was dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
St. Marien was the second Catholic church built in the Lüneburg area. The first one was St. Ludwig in Celle. There was a Marienkirche in medieval Lüneburg. It was called “Uns Liebe Frauen Kirche”.
After 1945, many refugees came to Lüneburg. The Catholic population grew quickly. The old St. Marien Church became too small. It was demolished in 1968. The current St. Marien Church was built on Friedenstraße. The land was purchased in 1958.
The new St. Marien Kirche officially broke ground in 1961. Pfarrer Johannes Bendfeld initiated it. Bishop Heinrich Maria Janssen consecrated the new church in 1963.
The architect Karlheinz Bargholz from Hamburg designed the church. It is a twelve-sided building without a tower. A depiction of the Mother of God with child is above the main entrance. Josef Baron contributed to the interior artistic design. Around 1980, he added his style. The organ was built in 1974 by Gebrüder Hillebrand Orgelbau. Gabi Weiß designed the stained glass windows. They were installed in 1995. Herbert Zeitner created the baptismal font’s top with eight angels.
Today, St. Marien continues to serve its community. It stands as a symbol of faith. It shows the resilience and growth of Catholicism in Lüneburg. As you stand before the Katholisch Apostolische Kirche, remember its long journey. Reflect on the people who built and sustained it. Think of the prayers and hopes held within its walls.