A single bell tolls. Its resonant sound echoes through Dortmund’s cityscape. This is the Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche a church rebuilt in 1930. It stands as a testament to resilience. The original Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche stood at a different location. This earlier church was one of Dortmund’s four main churches. It dated back to between 1193 and 1198. It served as a place of worship for centuries.
The first Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche was a smaller building compared to the others. It held approximately 330 people. It boasted a main altar and five side altars.The main altar a Baroque masterpiece was donated in 1717. The church also featured an ornate pulpit and a significant organ. Sadly by the early 1800s neglect took its toll. The city deemed the number of churches excessive for its population. The first Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche was demolished in 1812. Only drawings and city views remain as a reminder of the original church.
The current Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche stands in the Kreuzviertel district. Dortmund architects Karl Pinno and Peter Grund designed it. Its style is a striking example of New Objectivity architecture. It’s built from steel glass and concrete. This modern design sparked heated debates at the time. The unplastered concrete was unusual for churches. Some praised its simplicity reflecting the era’s poverty.
The immense glass surfaces bring remarkable expression to the interior. The original windows were destroyed during World War II. They were later replaced in 1963. Hans Gottfried von Stockhausen created the colorful new windows. The dominant blues cast the interior in unique light. The church suffered significant damage during the war but was quickly repaired.
An eight-meter-high cross once adorned the tower. It was composed of blue neon lights and was known as the “Southern Cross”. This iconic landmark had to be removed in 2002 due to structural issues. After repairs it was reinstalled. The tower houses a single bell. Its open hanging system means it’s audible throughout much of the city. In 2007 the Sankt-Nicolai-Gemeinde merged with St Petri and Martin congregations. This created the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde St Petri-Nicolai. Declining membership and funds prompted this merger. The church remains a registered landmark a beautiful example of history and faith in Dortmund.