A cornerstone’s whisper echoes through time. This is the Luther-St.-Andreas-Gemeinde Reutershagen. Right here in Rostock.
The story of the Luther-St.-Andreas-Gemeinde Reutershagen isn’t one of ancient foundations. It’s a tale of a community’s resilience. Its faith persevering through turbulent decades. Its history begins in the 20th century. This relatively young congregation is nestled within the larger Rostock story.
Initially part of the Heiligen-Geist-Gemeinde worshippers attended services at the Heiligen-Geist-Kirche. Later they used rooms at the community center on Hundertmännerstraße. The name Heiligen-Geist-Gemeinde actually has roots in an older church. That church stood on Hopfenmarkt. It was demolished in 1818 due to its dilapidated state.
By 1937 Rostock’s Reutershagen district flourished. New areas like Komponistenviertel and Ostmarkenviertel emerged. The growing number of Lutherans needed a space of their own. A rented room on Bräsigplatz became a temporary sanctuary. A sixth parish district was established within Heiligen-Geist-Gemeinde. However this district lacked its own building.
After World War II the congregation’s need for a church grew more pressing. Services were held at Wiener Platz before finally finding a temporary home. In 1946. They secured land near Schwanenteich. A simple wooden church was built. This temporary structure was named the Luther-Kirche.
The Luther-Kirche served the community until 1958. It was later replaced by a new church. The city refused to renew the lease for the land. The Luther-Gemeinde and the newly formed St.-Andreas-Gemeinde shared the Luther-Kirche. The Catholic St.-Josef-Gemeinde joined them there.
Conflict led to a new beginning. The Luther-Kirche was demolished. A new church was constructed at Krischanweg. This was the St.-Andreas-Kirche. It was completed in 1958. The St.-Andreas-Kirche served both Lutheran congregations and the Catholic parish. The new church boasted ample outdoor space. Perfect for various community events.
Unfortunately this St.-Andreas-Kirche was also short-lived. By 1975 it had become too dilapidated. A new building project was undertaken. Funded by the Evangelical Church in Germany. The result was a modern church building. Completed in 1977. It stood proudly at Krischanweg 6.
The new church was more than a place of worship. It included offices classrooms and a kitchen. A new bell tower was added in 1981. In 1982 Archbishop Melchisedek of the Russian Orthodox Church visited. He spoke on the history of the Russian Orthodox Church.
A unique detail remains in the current church. A mosaic featuring the Apostle Andrew graces the entrance. This mosaic predates the current building. It originally hung in the old church. The Apostle Andrew is the patron saint of the Russian Orthodox Church.
In 1997 the Luther-Gemeinde and the St.-Andreas-Gemeinde united to form the Luther-St.-Andreas-Gemeinde. The congregation remains a vibrant part of Rostock’s rich tapestry of faith. The current building on Robert-Schumann-Straße stands as a testament to the community’s dedication. A space built for worship and community. This is the legacy of the Luther-St.-Andreas-Gemeinde Reutershagen.