A weathered brick church stands before you. This is Sankt Gertrud in Flensburg. It wasn’t always here.
Long ago a different Sankt Gertrud existed. A small chapel. It stood near the Duburg in the heart of Flensburg. This original chapel dated back to 1290. Dedicated to Gertrud of Nivelles it served the community of Gertrudenholz. This woodland stretched from Eckenerstrasse to Harrislee. Sadly during conflicts surrounding the Duburg the chapel was damaged. Eventually it was demolished in 1571.
The memory of Gertrudenholz and its chapel remained. A street near Marienholzungsweg was named Gertrudenstrasse in 1898. This keeps the area’s historical memory alive.
Then in the post-war years a new Sankt Gertrud rose. Between 1951 and 1954 the St Marien Gemeinde built this very church. Its location near the former Gertrudenholz inspired its name. Architect Georg Rieve designed this striking brick building. It features a long hall with a hall and a staircase. A second wing was added creating an L-shape. This houses a community center a kindergarten and a youth hostel. The youth hostel aimed to help young people from surrounding villages find apprenticeships in Flensburg. The kindergarten opened in 1953. Bishop Reinhard Wester consecrated the church on November 27 1954.
In 1965 Sankt Gertrud became an independent parish with around 5000 members. The youth hostel rooms were no longer used after 1967 but the kindergarten remains a vibrant part of the community. In 2001 a new accessible entrance was created. Then in 2009/2010 a half million euro renovation took place. This included restoring the steeple and upgrading the bell tower. Artist Uwe Appold contributed to the interior renovation. A new organ by Kurt Quathamer was installed in 2013 thanks to generous donations. In 2015 Sankt Gertrud celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent parish.
Look around you. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to faith resilience and the enduring power of memory. Sankt Gertrud is a living link to Flensburg’s past. It continues to serve its community. It is a place of worship. A place of history. A place of community. A place worth exploring.