Church of Peace
In the presence of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and his wife Eleonore, the Friedenskirche church in Offenbach was consecrated in October 1912. The factory owners from the Westend, who had settled there at the turn of the century, celebrated their church services there. Before that, they had to rely on the hospitality of the German-Catholic community.
Like the Lutherkirche, the church architect and town planner Friedrich Pützer planned the Art Nouveau Friedenskirche as a center and meeting place for the celebrating congregation. The result: a place of worship on the upper floor, surrounded by community rooms, parish and sexton's apartments. Although the destruction during the Second World War meant that nothing from the construction period was preserved in the interior, some extraordinary works of art catch the eye. The tympanum, a relief-like decorated pediment above the church portal, draws the connection between the Friedenskirche as a place of security and Noah's Ark.
In the worship room, the congregation keeps a crucifix from the 14th century as well as a scripture carpet next to the pulpit, which reproduces the first lines of the creation story from the first book of Moses.
The communion vessels were designed by Professor Ernst Riegel and are considered to be important works of goldsmith art from the Art Nouveau period. The chancel was redesigned in the 1950s according to designs by Rudolf Koch.
In the tower of the church, four bells from 1925 invite the 2,150 parishioners to worship. Although the bells were taken away during the Second World War, they were found intact. They are named after the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. On the first floor of the community center, visitors will find the community rooms with a large hall and smaller group rooms. A children's day care center, excursions to the country home in Rod am Berg (Taunus), the church café, senior gymnastics, women's circle and the four choirs round off the social commitment of the Friedensgemeinde in Westend.
Friedenskirche
Geleitsstraße 104
6306 Offenbach