St. Joseph: Silent oasis between Reeperbahn and Nachtleben in Hamburg

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Special features in northern Germany: Churches as cultural oases

In the northern German region, there are numerous churches that not only serve as religious sites, but also act as cultural centers and bring vitality to their respective municipal parts. Three outstanding examples are the Church of St. Joseph in Hamburg, the creation garden in Bleckede and the Church of Stella Maris on Norderney. These places show how diverse and integrative church institutions can be.

culture and community on the Reeperbahn: Church of St. Joseph

in the heart of the Hamburg Reeperbahn, one of the most famous amusement district in the world, is the St. Joseph church. This baroque church, completed in 1723, is not only the first Catholic Church of Northern Europe after the Reformation, but also a place of calm in the middle of bars and clubs. The municipality has set an example, especially in recent years, with offers such as "St. Joseph by Night": on weekends, the church opens its doors to offer visitors a way to reflect and prayer.

Another interesting feature is the ink house, which houses 350 deceased Catholics and Catholics. These bones were discovered in 2011 during surveying work and can now be visited in the memorial set up with a lot of empathy to think about life and death.

The creation garden in Bleckede: an oasis for humans and nature

in the district of Lüneburg, in the small town of Bleckede, the connection between faith and nature comes to life in the creation garden of the municipality of St. Maria Queen from St. Rosary. This initiative, which emerged from an exchange between young people in 2005, offers a room for common gardening and services.

The cultivation of potatoes that come from the Bolivian highlands is particularly impressive. With the help of these potatoes, the community cooks a soup, the proceeds of which are used for a disabled project in Bolivia. A "MarienBet" with plants such as peony and forest berries aims to promote the beauty of nature and attract threatened insects - an example of the active role that the church takes up in environmental protection.

Stella Maris: Architecture and faith in Norderney

The island of Norderney houses the Church of Stella Maris, which was built in 1931 according to the plans of Dominikus Böhm. This impressive church is listed and is the largest Catholic church in East Frisia. It was designed in a simple style that underlines its function as a place of faith and reflection.

The interior of the church captivates with a significant oil painting of the church patron, which is Mary, which is considered the "star of the sea". Visitors are received by an open, inviting atmosphere when entering the church room. Stella Maris is not only a place for faith, but also a cultural point of contact for the growing number of spa guests.

FAZIT: Integrative role of churches in society

The places mentioned show that churches are not only traditional religious sites, but also play an important role in the promotion of community, culture and environmental protection. These oases of faith offer space for encounters, reflection and support that go far beyond the services. They are therefore living institutions that meet the individual and community needs of people in northern Germany.

- Nag