How about a story of innovation and change? We are standing in front of Thomaskirche in Dusseldorf. This former evangelical church stands on Eugen-Richter-Strasse. It is located in the Morsenbroich district. Thomaskirche is named after the Apostle Thomas. Since a structural reform, it belongs to the Emmaus parish.
Let’s step back in time. In the 1930s, Dusseldorf grew. This growth made a new church necessary. In 1930, the community became independent. By 1950, they built a wooden church on Brehmstrasse. It was a “Sweden church”. The community grew and the church became too small.
Architects Rosskotten and Tritthardt planned a new church. From 1959 to 1960, the community built the church we see today. It was inaugurated on February 28, 1960. Christoph Lehmann was a church musician here for many years. Sabine Rosenboom then took his place.
Thomaskirche was deconsecrated in 2020. There were plans to demolish it. As of 2024, demolition is postponed.
Notice the building’s structure. It has a rectangular layout and is divided into three sections. It combines church and community spaces. The church space is upstairs. You can reach it from the street via two flights of steps. Below are community rooms. There is a library, a hall, youth rooms, a kitchen and an office. The sanctuary is slightly raised from the hall. It narrows towards the hall.
The front wall features a plastic design. The inner and outer wall panels are offset. This creates a checkerboard pattern. Closed and glazed rectangles highlight this pattern. A large wooden cross hangs centrally. It emphasizes the wall. The church space is simple. It reflects the reformed evangelical tradition. The altar and benches are not fixed. They can be arranged as needed. The altar, pulpit, font and ambo are light and uniform. This emphasizes the lively nature of the place.
The organ was built in 1962 by Paul Ott. It has mechanical action and electric stops. It has 25 stops on two manuals and pedal. Lukas Fischer overhauled it in 1989. He also re-voiced it. Another overhaul with re-voicing took place in 2009. The organ was used at the IDO Festival. After the church’s deconsacration, Ladach sold it in 2021. Pontificia Fabbrica d’organi Comm. Giovanni Tamburini moved it to Italy. It is now in the church of St. Pietro e Paolo in Saronno.
The tower holds five bells. Their pitches are g1, b1, c2, d2 and f2.
Thomaskirche has a fascinating history. In the 1970s, it gained attention for its modern services. Beat masses and Nicaragua aid combined worship and politics. The poet Ernesto Cardenal spoke here. In 1975, the first Third World shop in Dusseldorf opened here. It became a model for other “One World” shops. In 1998, the church was the first in the city with solar panels. The church often attracted attention. It hosted tango evenings and services for rescue workers and bikers.
The Thomaskirche is more than just a building. It represents community, innovation, and change. Its story is a reminder of how a church can adapt. It shows how it can respond to the needs of its community.