St. Johannes der Evangelist

In the heart of Cologne-Stammheim, a quiet neighborhood a little bit outside the city center, stands the St. Johannes der Evangelist. It’s a church built in the Romanesque style and dedicated to John the Evangelist. Many people say it is the oldest church in the area. You can see this in the strong, thick walls that support the structure. It has a simple, almost austere beauty. Its bell tower, topped with a pointed spire, reaches for the sky, a beacon for the neighborhood. St. Johannes der Evangelist wasn’t always the center of attention, though. It started its life as part of a large monastery, founded in the 12th century, almost a thousand years ago. It served as the abbey church, a hub of religious life, but times changed. The monastery was dissolved in the 19th century. It fell into disrepair and was eventually rebuilt into the church it is today. It was a time of great change for the community.
One fascinating artifact within the church is the Cappenberger Barbarossakopf. It is a reliquary, believed to be a portrait bust of Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, dating back to the 12th century. It was a gift from the emperor to the monastery. The Barbarossakopf is an intriguing reminder of the church’s rich history, and it shows the connection between the local community and important figures of the past.
A final detail that adds to the church’s character is the inscription on the tower. It reads: “God is Love” in German. This is a simple, yet powerful message. It sums up the essence of the church and its purpose in the community. It is a place of peace, a source of inspiration, and a cornerstone of this Cologne neighborhood.