St. Mary

St. Mary, known locally as St. Marien, is a charming Roman Catholic church located in the picturesque town of Ahrensburg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. This sacred site, which belongs to the St.-Ansverus parish and falls under the Archdiocese of Hamburg, is not just a place of worship but a beacon of community and history. The church has a rich narrative that dates back to the early 20th century and continues to be a significant landmark in the town.

The Origins of St. Mary

The story of St. Mary begins in the early 1900s when a modest Catholic community started to take root in Ahrensburg. In 1905, five Catholic families established a makeshift chapel in a private room, where a priest would come to celebrate Mass once a month. By 1912, the community had grown to ten families, prompting the establishment of a small chapel on Hamburger Straße. However, the sale of this property in the 1920s forced the Catholics of Ahrensburg to attend Mass in Hamburg-Rahlstedt.

In 1937, a dedicated chapel room was consecrated on Waldstraße, marking a significant milestone for the community. The turning point came in 1941 when Pastor Bernhard Wintermann acquired a plot of land at the corner of Hamburger Straße and Adolfstraße on behalf of the Catholic congregation. The end of World War II saw a dramatic increase in the Catholic population due to an influx of refugees, swelling the community from around 100 to over 2000 members. This surge necessitated a larger place of worship, leading to the construction of the church on Adolfstraße in 1952, with the congregation actively participating in the building process. The church was finally consecrated on June 28, 1953.

Architectural Evolution

The original structure of St. Mary was a classic longitudinal church built in the functional post-war style. It featured a raised altar on the eastern side, whitewashed walls, and rows of pews divided by a central aisle, all under a barrel-vaulted ceiling. A distinctive feature was the crucifix hanging above the altar and a mosaic of Mary, the church's patron saint, positioned to the right of the altar.

The Communio-Model Transformation

By 1998, the church building began to show signs of structural issues. Financial constraints ruled out the possibility of constructing a new church, leading the community to adopt the innovative Communio-Model. This model, inspired by the principles of the Second Vatican Council, reimagined the church layout to emphasize the congregation's role in the liturgy. The altar was moved to the center of the church, surrounded by the congregation, with the ambo placed opposite the altar, creating a liturgical focal point.

The renovation, led by architect Bruno Braun, transformed the church into a bright, welcoming space. The exterior was painted white, and the interior was illuminated by neo-Romanesque windows and modern lighting. Red brick accents added warmth to the space, and the wooden pews were arranged to face the central liturgical area.

Artistic Highlights

Artist Klaus Simon played a significant role in the church's artistic renovation. He crafted the ambo, altar, and sedilia from locally sourced fallen wood, setting up his studio at the church so the congregation could witness his progress. The new altar was consecrated on November 24, 2001, in a ceremony marked by the symbolic burning of five black scars into the oak wood, representing the five wounds of Christ.

Simon also designed the church's windows, including a striking yellow circle in the sacrament chapel and a large yellow circle in the eastern windows, symbolizing the rising sun. The central window features a red cross on a light background, reinforcing the church's liturgical focus.

The Entrance and Organ

The church's entrance, known as the Paradise, houses the mosaic of Mary from the old church and a baptismal font aligned with the priest's seat, ambo, altar, and cross. The organ, built by Klaus Becker in 1972, features 17 registers across two manuals and a pedal, adding a rich musical dimension to the church's services.

A Hub of Community and Worship

St. Mary is not just a place for Sunday services; it is a vibrant community hub. It is part of the larger St. Ansverus parish, which includes several other churches in the region. The church hosts a variety of services and events, including concerts, such as the 2015 performance by composer and sound engineer Gregor Linßen.

In conclusion, St. Mary in Ahrensburg is a testament to the resilience and dedication of its community. From its humble beginnings in a private room to its current status as a central place of worship and community gathering, the church has continually evolved to meet the needs of its congregation. Its architectural and artistic features, combined with its rich history, make St. Mary a must-visit for anyone exploring the spiritual and cultural heritage of Ahrensburg.