Christ Church (Essen)
The Christ Church in Essen belongs to the Evangelical Luther Church Community of Essen-Altendorf and is located in the Essen district of Altendorf in the west of the city on Kopernikusstraße.
history
The powerful upswing of the steel industry and coal mining in the west of Essen towards the end of the 19th century, combined with the influx of many immigrant workers, made it necessary to found a separate community and build a second church in Altendorf. Until then, only the Luther Church, which had been built 20 years earlier, was available. The Friedrich Krupp AG gave here the property and an additional 100,000 Mark . The foundation stone was laid on November 3, 1901. The brick building with 1150 seats was built according to a design by the Essen architect Carl Nordmann .
The Christ Church was completed in the summer of 1903. The fact that in the period from the start of construction to the completion of the Christ Church the community grew by 10,000 souls shows how necessary another church was for Altendorf. A chronicle reads about the cost of the new church building: “... with a cost of 182,000 marks (including furnishings). This was made possible by the fact that Privy Councilor Krupp had made available the sum of 100,000 marks to cover the costs. "
The Christ Church in Altendorf was inaugurated on July 26, 1903. The Walker organ was built at the same time as the church. It was given its place on the gallery.
During the Second World War , during a bombing raid in January 1943, the entire roof structure of the Christ Church was destroyed, and the windows and organ were severely damaged. In a second, heavy bombing raid on July 26, 1943, which destroyed almost the entire area around the church, the church building was finally destroyed, exactly 40 years to the day after its inauguration.
With great commitment of many helpers from the community and many donors, the reconstruction of the Christ Church could begin in 1952. Despite considerable destruction, around 30 percent of the church building was preserved, so the plan of the old church was the basis for the reconstruction. The interior was changed. The long side galleries fell away. Instead, an organ gallery takes up the entire width of the entrance area. “The only thing that reminds of the destruction is the missing spire. But that may remain a reminder, ” wrote the parish priest at the time, Fritz Bachmann, to the President of the Rhenish Church. On July 26, 1953 (exactly ten years after the destruction), President D. Held undertook the solemn inauguration of the rebuilt Christ Church with a large participation of the community.
At the beginning of 1956 the construction of the new Schuke organ could be started on the gallery. This was inaugurated in April 1956.
In 2001 the renovation of the outer facade of the Christ Church began. Many of the clinker bricks that have been attacked by environmental influences have to be replaced and grouted. In the summer of 2005, work on the tower and the north gable was completed.
Furnishing
Three bells
Three bells in the church tower invite you to the church services. A part of a Bible word can be read on each bell: The largest bell bears the inscription “Our Faith” , the middle bell reads: “Is the victory” and the smallest bell (Our Father's bell) reads “the one The world has overcome ” (1 John 5: 4).
The cross
The cross in the chancel of the Christ Church was designed and designed by the Westerwald master potter Wim Mühlendyck . This cross differs from other crosses in the material it is made of, namely simple ceramic. The figure of Christ is also rather unusual. Not only the crucified, but also the risen Christ, the exalted, the present and inviting Son of God is depicted. We see Christ in the dress of honor adorned with seven suns. Through his messengers, the angels on the right and on the left, God has his son put the royal crown on his son. The crucified one was raised by God to be King of kings.
The outstretched arms and pierced hands extend invitingly towards the churchgoers, all those who are troubled and laden. At the foot of the cross lies the crown of thorns in the shape of a snake, as a sign that evil has been conquered.
The candlesticks
The candlesticks on the altar, also the work of Mühlendyck, are decorated with biblical motifs, the arches at the lower edge represent the twelve gates of Jerusalem .
The font
The font was also designed by Mühlendyck, it is made of the same material, i.e. clay / ceramic. Three biblical motifs are depicted on the baptismal font: the expulsion from paradise, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, and the Last Judgment. In the text “Taufsteine im Raum der Rheinische Kirche” by K. Otte it says about the baptismal font of the Christ Church: “From an artistic point of view, this beautiful composition in a light tone can be described as a successful expression of time-bound language of faith. Simplicity and persuasiveness are powerful artistic means at the service of the baptismal message. This message gives the viewer insight into a theological teaching that leads from the original state through the fall to Jesus Christ and finally to perfection. "
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ T. Kellen: The industrial city of Essen in words and pictures. History and description of the city of Essen. At the same time a guide through food and the surrounding area. Fredebeul & Koenen, Essen 1902.
Coordinates: 51 ° 27 ′ 37.8 " N , 6 ° 58 ′ 21.9" E