In 948 the first records of St Johannes Baptist appeared. This Cologne church is one of the city’s oldest. It served as a parish church from 1080 onwards. Imagine its history unfolding before your eyes.
St Johannes Baptist stands proudly on Severinstr. Next to it once stood the Deutschordenskirche St Katharina. This medieval church was sadly secularized. Both churches shared a long history together.
World War II devastated St Johannes Baptist. The tower was completely destroyed. The choir was reduced to its foundations. Only parts of the side aisles and the nave survived. Reconstruction began. It took many years to restore the church to its present form.
In the 1960s a new west tower was added. It incorporates the old nave. The design is that of a basilica. The church’s current structure resulted from the collaboration of many people and through various phases of restoration and rebuilds. This is a true testament to the resilience and faith of its community.
The church boasts a rich collection of artifacts. A seated Madonna dating from around 1320 is a highlight. A reliquary of St Antonina from the late 14th century is also displayed here. A brass baptismal font from 1566 is another treasure. The church also showcases bronze lecterns from 1629 and 1723. Modern stained-glass windows by Willi Strauß add a vibrant touch to the sanctuary.
Before the war four bells comprised the church’s peal. The largest bell Antonina weighed approximately 1400 kg. It was cast in 1400 by Johannes Duisterwalt. It was dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Antonina. Tragically all but one bell Antonina were lost. Antonina is privately owned today. Six new bells were added in 1962 to replace the lost ones.
In 2004 St Johannes Baptist made headlines. Its 44-meter-high tower leaned 77 cm westward. Construction of a nearby Stadtbahn caused this. Steel supports were added. The tower was later straightened using hydraulic presses. The repairs cost a million Euros.
Today St Johannes Baptist houses CRUX. This is the youth pastoral center of the Cologne Archdiocese. The church reopened in 2009 after extensive renovations. This space is an important hub for the city’s youth. The church continues to serve its community. It plays an important role in Cologne’s religious and cultural heritage.