The Christuskirche (translated literally “Christ Church”) is a Protestant church located near the Mühlburger Tor in the Weststadt of Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Evangelische Christuskirche Leibdragonerdenkmal am Mühlburger Tor, Karlsruhe
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First initiatives to build a church at the site date back to between 1888 and 1892. An architectural competition was won by the Karlsruhe firm of “Curjel & Moser”, a partnership of a Jew and a Catholic who built churches for all denominations across Karlsruhe. The church was consecrated on 14 October 1900.
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
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Whereas the building's decorations (windows, arches, pinnacles) and overall impression were based on the Gothic style, opinion changed over the the time of construction, and many of the final details are Art Noveau (German: “Jugendstil”), then at the peak of its popularity. The church was severely damaged in the major air raids on Karlsruhe of 2-3 September 1942 and 4-5 December 1944. Repairs began immediately after the war, completed with the installation of new bells on 3 April 1953, albeit without the church's original spire.
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
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In 1984, however, it was decided to restore the original plan and add the spire again. Work was finished in 1988, thus completing the post-war rebuilding program. A significant addition was the new “ Peace Bell” (“Friedensglocke”) in 1984, financed by public subscription. It has the lowest pitch of any church bell in the German State of Baden-Württemberg.
From May 2008 to September 2009, the church was undergoing a program of renovation and refurbishments.
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
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The church's original organ had undergone an unfortunate alteration in 1938, and then been damaged in the war. In 1960, it was decided to replace it, and a new organ with 5000 pipes was built by the renowned Bonn organ builders Klais and inaugurated in 1966. This put the Christuskirche on the map for concerts and musical events such as the Karlsruher Orgeltage (translated literally “Karlsruhe Organ Days”).
In addition to the big Klais organ, there is very valuable and unique small mobile organ, built by organ builder Matthias Wagner of Grünstadt in 2004. It features eight registers and about 500 pipes, and is generally admired as a masterpiece of sound and of engineering.
Evangelische Christuskirche Leibdragonerdenkmal am Mühlburger Tor, Karlsruhe
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
From May 2008 to September 2009, the church was undergoing a program of renovation and refurbishments.
Evangelische Christuskirche Karlsruhe
In addition to the big Klais organ, there is very valuable and unique small mobile organ, built by organ builder Matthias Wagner of Grünstadt in 2004. It features eight registers and about 500 pipes, and is generally admired as a masterpiece of sound and of engineering.
Source text (shortcut): www.en.ka.stadtwiki.net
Photos: EFA