AUTHOR Gabi Püttmann
PUBLISHED 21. FEB 2025
Erlöserkirche Lüdenscheid, am Kirchplatz 11
Time: Mentioned in documents in 1067.
Location: The inauguration after reconstruction of the Erlöserkirche, which was called Medarduskirche until 1902, was in MARch 1826. For a long time it was assumed that the church was founded in 1072. For this reason, church representatives celebrated its 950th anniversary in 2022. After research, it turned out that it was already mentioned in documents in 1067 in connection with a donation from Archbishop Anno II.
Architectural style / significant building material: The tower of the church was a defensive tower in the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest and most important buildings in the Märkische Sauerland. In the 12th century, a late Romanesque two-bay pillar basilica was built on the site of a Romanesque predecessor as a nave, while the choir dates from the Gothic period.
A special feature are the 180 iron anchors used to secure the quarry stone masonry. In 1785, the tower was given a stepped, baroque roof. The patron saint of the church was Saint Medardus, to whom it was dedicated and whose image still adorns the city’s coat of arms today. With the Reformation, the Medardus patronage was abolished and the church became Protestant. With the construction of the Christ Church in 1902, the city church was given the name Redeemer Church. In 1822, everything except the tower was demolished due to dilapidation.
The architect and Tyrolean master builder Engelbert Kleinhanz was responsible for the reconstruction. The foundation stone was laid in 1823 and the inauguration took place in 1826. The current church is a classicist hall building. It is largely a preacher’s church with a surrounding gallery and a pulpit (which probably comes from Adolf Vagedes, a student of Karl Friedrich Schinkel).
In 1977, repairs made it necessary to scaffold the entire tower. It received a new tower cross with a gold-plated ball and gold-plated rooster based on old templates. In 1979, the restored church was consecrated again.
The bell system was renewed in both 1920 and 2000.
The old organ was sold to Poland in 2015 and replaced in 2018 by a new organ by organ builder Albert Baumhoer.
Use and city history: Services, baptisms, confirmations and weddings still take place in the Church of the Redeemer today. There are also numerous African festivals and musical events. Robert Sochacki has staged the church several times during the light routes. The Christmas market of good deeds has been held around the Church of the Redeemer since 1990.