Friedenskirche (Cologne-Ehrenfeld)
Ehrenfeld's oldest Protestant church, built in 1876, repeatedly remodelled and heritage-listed since 1982.
since 1876
In Cologne's Ehrenfeld district stands the Friedenskirche, a Protestant church whose origins reach back to 1876. Today it is one of the two church buildings of the Protestant parish of Ehrenfeld.
At a Glance
- District
- Cologne-Ehrenfeld
- Built
- 1876, tower completed 1877
- Architect
- Carl Theodor Coerper (Berlin), partner of Fritz Wolff
- Style
- hall church in the round-arch style, plastered brick building
- Consecration
- 19 December 1876
- Denomination
- Protestant; parish of Ehrenfeld, church district Köln-Linksrheinisch
- Heritage status
- listed since 1 June 1982, number 1036
Although the church was built back in 1876, it has only borne the name Friedenskirche since 1950 – roughly 74 years after its consecration.
Things to do here
- Contemplate the surviving "Byzantine" chancel mosaic
- Discover Willi Briant's stained-glass windows
- Experience a concert on the 1955 Willi Peter organ
- Admire the 41.50-metre round-arch tower
- Attend a lecture or reading at the "Offener Treff"
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
Building History
The design came from the Berlin master builder Carl Theodor Coerper, a brother of the then parish vicar Friedrich Coerper. After the laying of the foundation stone on 30 April 1876, construction advanced so quickly that the consecration could already be celebrated on 19 December of the same year – at that point the side galleries and the organ were still missing. The 41.50-metre tower followed in 1877. The building received its present name, Friedenskirche, only in 1950.
Rebuilding and Remodelling
Bombs damaged the church in 1942 and 1944; reconstruction took place from 1946 to 1949 under Heinrich Stork, who also designed the Stephanus parish centre of 1952/53. In the process the side galleries disappeared for good. During the 1960s Georg Rasch, creator of the tent church in Kippekausen, reshaped the interior into a plain preaching church because of structural defects; the service on the first Sunday of Advent 1963 was already held in the redesigned space. This austere "purification" drew criticism, so the church was remodelled again between 1975 and 1977 to plans by Karl-Lothar Dietzsch. In 1976 the parish celebrated its centenary – despite ongoing works.
Furnishings and Organ
From the war memorial consecrated in 1923, based on a design by Huber-Feldkirch, the "Byzantine" chancel mosaic survives to this day. The large gallery holds the two-manual Willi Peter organ of 1955, comprehensively restored in 2018 and also used for concerts. Cultural events are held regularly, such as the "Offener Treff" with lectures and readings on theology, philosophy, music, literature and art history.
Church Windows
The stained-glass windows are the work of the Cologne painter and graphic artist Willi Briant, who as a presbyter had preserved many furnishings removed during the purification. The windows in the nave, on the organ gallery and in the stairwell show geometric ornaments, while the central chancel window depicts Mary and John beneath the cross. The 1982 works are more delicate and draw on the geometric Art Nouveau of Jan Thorn Prikker and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Bells
In the final phase of the First World War, on 10 April 1917, the two bronze bells hung in 1877 were confiscated and melted down for the armaments industry; the third bell, made of cast steel, was spared. By 1923 the three-bell chime was complete once more.
Timeline
- 1876Foundation stone laid on 30 April and consecration on 19 December.
- 1877The 41.50-metre tower is completed and the first two bells are hung.
- 1917On 10 April the two bronze bells are confiscated for the armaments industry.
- 1950The church is renamed Friedenskirche.
- 1963On the first Sunday of Advent the first service is held in the interior redesigned by Georg Rasch.
- 1982Listed as a monument on 1 June under number 1036.
Gallery
Map
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Address
Rothehausstraße 56
50823 Köln
Contact
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Official website (retrieved 2026-07-17)
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-07-06)
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-07-06, rev 268009197)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-07-06
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