Lukaskirche

Gazing up at the Lukaskirche, one might hear whispers of resilience. This isn’t just a church. It’s a phoenix, risen from ashes. The Lukaskirche stands proudly in Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district. It bears witness to a turbulent past and an enduring spirit. The original Lukaskirche, a stunning example of Jugendstil architecture, opened its doors in 1913. Its interior boasted an impressive display of 21 large-scale paintings by Wilhelm Steinhausen, earning it the nickname “Frankfurter Bilderkersch” (Frankfurt picture church). The renowned Albert Schweitzer was drawn to its grand Walcker organ, the largest in Frankfurt at the time. He even performed a concert here in the summer of 1928. Tragically, this artistic haven was largely destroyed during a bombing raid in 1944. The Steinhausen paintings, deemed “not worthy of protection” by the Nazi regime, perished within the burning church. But the spirit of the Lukaskirche could not be extinguished. Rising from the ruins, the church was rebuilt in 1953. The new design incorporated contemporary stained-glass windows by Gisela Dreher-Richels and Gerhard Dreher. These vibrant windows depict biblical parables, adding a touch of modern artistry to the resurrected space. The church also houses a poignant reminder of a darker time. A stained-glass window in the sacristy is dedicated to Dr. Georg Kalischer. He was a victim of the Buchenwald concentration camp. The window serves as a memorial to those persecuted during the Nazi era. In 1999, a new Rieger organ was installed. Its warm, resonant tones fill the sanctuary, a testament to the enduring power of music and faith. Today, the Lukaskirche serves the Evangelische Maria-Magdalena-Gemeinde. It stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, a place where history and faith intertwine. The Lukaskirche invites you to explore its sanctuary, open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Reflect on its story, and experience the enduring spirit of a community that rebuilt from the ashes.