“Closed for business” a sign might read, but the story of Sankt Stephanus in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel is far from over. This building, once a vibrant church, now houses a media agency. Sankt Stephanus stands at the intersection of Sartoriusstrasse and Lutterothstrasse. Its location marks a place of transition.
In 1912, architects Hermann Distel and August Grubitz designed Sankt Stephanus. It was the third and smallest church for Eimsbüttel’s growing community. The building uniquely combines the church and parsonage in one complex. Only the tower clearly indicated its religious purpose. The tower and diagonal steps to the vestibule emphasize its location on a street corner. The original church space was a wide hall with shallow side aisles.
Dark clinker facades give Sankt Stephanus a reserved appearance. The tower is quite low for a city church. This design reflects the North German brick building tradition. Julius Faulwasser praised its harmonious look back in 1914. After World War II, the undamaged Sankt Stephanus served as emergency housing.
From 1956 to 1957, the St. Stephanus congregation renovated and redesigned the interior. Architects Hopp and Jäger replaced the failing concrete floor. They also removed the old gallery and much of the original decor. The church once featured a mosaic by Claus Wallner.
In 1998, Sankt Stephanus joined the Eimsbüttel Protestant Lutheran parish. Bishop Maria Jepsen deconsecrated the church on Palm Sunday 2005. A procession moved the altar, Bible, and cross to the nearby Apostelkirche.
In 2008, private investor Torsten Reim bought Sankt Stephanus. Architect Rainald Mühlens renovated it into an event gallery. Stephanus-events hosted a café from April to late 2010. It then became solely an event location. Since July 2012, a media agency has occupied the former church. From September 2010 to June 2012, the jesusfriends project used the space for services. The former Sankt Stephanus has been for sale since January 2, 2022. So next time you pass by Sankt Stephanus, remember its layered past. It is a church, a shelter, an event space and now a media hub.