Lutherkirche

In 1910, the burgeoning Stühlinger district of Freiburg im Breisgau saw its Protestant community swell to nearly 4,800 members. The need for a dedicated church building became undeniable. This led to the birth of the Lutherkirche. The architectural firm Schuster and Christen won the design competition in 1911. Their design, a blend of Classicism and Art Nouveau, was brought to life by Hans Christen. The Lutherkirche became the last church built during Otto Winterer’s tenure. The cornerstone was laid in 1913, and the topping-out ceremony followed in July 1914. However, the outbreak of World War I significantly delayed the church’s completion. The Lutherkirche was finally inaugurated on March 23, 1919. Tragically, the church’s lifespan was short-lived. During World War II, the bombing raid of November 27, 1944, completely destroyed the Lutherkirche. The then-pastor suffered an immense personal loss. His wife and two children perished when the falling church tower crushed their home. A temporary church, housed in a nearby barrack, served the community from 1946. A replacement structure, designed by architect Max Schmechel, was consecrated on the original church grounds in 1953. This new Lutherkirche, a simple white, plastered hall with a gabled roof, accommodated around 800 people. It became the largest Protestant church in Freiburg. The square tower, positioned at the northwest corner, featured a saddle roof and rectangular sound openings with small balconies on all four sides. Below these openings, a clock face without numerals adorned each side of the tower. Only the largest of the original cast-steel bells, made by the Bochum Association in 1923, survived the destruction. Three new bells, also cast in Bochum, were added in 1967. Due to declining attendance, the Lutherkirche’s parish merged with the Kreuzkirchen parish, rendering the building redundant. The final service was held on January 31, 2016. The church was deconsecrated. The building was subsequently leased to the University Hospital. Today, the Lutherkirche continues to serve the community, albeit in a new capacity. It is being transformed into a learning center and seminar rooms for students of the Medical Faculty. The basement will house practice rooms for dental students. This transformation ensures that the Lutherkirche, despite its tumultuous history, remains a vital part of Freiburg im Breisgau.