Is it just me, or does this church look incredibly modern? St. Johannes Evangelist is not your typical old European church. It’s a statement of faith and architecture from the 1960s. Let’s dive into the story of this unique place.
In the spirit of renewal, after the Second Vatican Council, the need for a new church in the growing Hartenberg-Münchfeld area of Mainz became clear. Bernhard Schmitt, an architect from Gonsenheim, was tasked with designing it. On August 27, 1967, the foundation stone was laid. Just over a year later, on November 24, 1968, Bishop Hermann Volk consecrated the church. Relics of St. Johannes himself were placed in the main altar. A side chapel altar was dedicated to Saint Benginus.
St. Johannes Evangelist stands out with its steel and glass construction. The design was inspired by the hymn “Ein Schiff, das sich Gemeinde nennt” which translates to “A ship that calls itself community”. The church’s layout is a parabola. Its front opens towards the neighborhood with concrete glass windows. A 35-meter tower acts as a beacon facing the main road.
The exterior walls are covered with stone from the Graf von Schönborn quarry. Above the entrance, a concrete relief depicts the eagle. The eagle is a symbol of St. Johannes. Inside, Reinhold Petermann’s artwork enhances the space. He created the suspended cross, the Stations of the Cross, the ambo with a steel eagle and the steel relief around the tabernacle. The eagle appears throughout the church as a symbol of the soaring Word of God.
Beneath the floor lies the grave of Hans Brantzen. He was the parish priest from 1964 to 1979. He was also the builder of St. Johannes Evangelist. Italian slate covers the floor in the choir and church area. Woodblock paving lies beneath the pews. The church has seating for 550 people.
In the side chapel, a slate relief by Leo Brandmüller depicts the Madonna and Child. Brandmüller also created the steel Paschal candle stand. Its symbols represent Easter, Pentecost and Baptism. The stained-glass windows illustrate scenes from the Book of Revelation. The windows feature the New Jerusalem with the Lamb of God and a golden city.
The church’s bells symbolize peace. Cast in 1980, the four bronze bells are named after the apostles: Johannes, Andreas, Jakobus and Petrus. Their inscriptions promote peace and service.
St. Johannes Evangelist is more than just a building. It embodies the spirit of its time. It is a place where community and faith come together in a modern setting.