Lutherkirche

Gazing up at the Lutherkirche, one might wonder about its origins. This magnificent structure, located in Dortmund-Barop, has a rich history. The Lutherkirche wasn’t always here. It began as the “Neue Kirche,” built between 1911 and 1913. Pastor Wilhelm Römer spearheaded the initiative. Architect Gustav Mucke from Hagen designed the church in the late 19th-century Historicism style. This architectural choice earned the Lutherkirche its protected landmark status. The need for a new church arose from the inadequacy of the old Margarethenkapelle. Its looming ceiling collapse prompted the construction of the Lutherkirche. Around 1970, North German artist Max Schegulla transformed the interior. He removed the side galleries and redesigned the windows, giving the Lutherkirche a fresh perspective. The Lutherkirche boasts not one, but two organs. The main organ, crafted by Alfred Führer, debuted on December 19, 1974. A silent pneumatic organ, built by the Link brothers in 1913, stands as a testament to the church’s musical past. The Lutherkirche can accommodate 295 visitors, with additional seating for 30 more. Atop the tower sits a mechanical clock. It still requires manual winding. Three steel bells, cast in 1913 by the Bochum Association, also reside in the tower. The largest bell weighs 1863 kg and rings with the tone c’. Its inscription reads “Eins ist not” (One thing is needful). The middle bell, at 1234 kg, chimes with the tone es’ and proclaims “Gott ist Liebe” (God is Love). Finally, the smallest bell, weighing 830 kg, resonates with the tone ges’ and carries the inscription “Jesus, meine Zuversicht” (Jesus, my confidence). Each Christmas, a unique nativity scene graces the Lutherkirche. It features figures from Siegfried Erdmann in Dortmund. There are also figures from far-off lands: Kolkata, India, and Bolenge, Congo. They create a truly international and ecumenical display.