St.-Johannis-Kirche

Hidden in the suburbs of Lübeck stands a testament to the city’s industrial past, the St.-Johannis-Kirche. Unlike the grand medieval churches in Lübeck’s heart, St.-Johannis-Kirche has a more rugged, almost defiant air. Built in 1910, the St.-Johannis-Kirche served the burgeoning community of Kücknitz, a town fueled by the nearby blast furnaces of the Herrenwyk ironworks. Architect Carl Mülhenpfordt designed the church in the Heimatschutzarchitektur style, a style popular at the time that emphasized traditional, regional elements. Imagine the clang of hammers and the roar of furnaces echoing around the newly built St.-Johannis-Kirche as workers sought solace within its walls. The church’s imposing tower, a beacon visible from afar, reflects the resilience and strength of the community it served. Inside, the St.-Johannis-Kirche boasts a fascinating blend of old and new. A medieval crucifix, originally from St. Jakobi Church, once graced the altar. Later, in 1984, a striking iron sculpture of a smelter, affectionately nicknamed “Der heilige Eisenius,” found its home within the church. This sculpture poignantly captures the spirit of the industrial community that built and cherished the St.-Johannis-Kirche. The church’s history is inseparable from the fortunes of the ironworks and their workers. As the ironworks declined, so too did the community. Yet, the St.-Johannis-Kirche stands as a reminder of their enduring spirit and the indelible mark they left on Lübeck’s history.