Reconstruction of a Church

A new chapter for the Lutheran Church in Duisburg-Laar

Old buildings often have a charm that stands the test of time. The Lutheran Church in Duisburg-Laar is certainly one of these buildings. For more than 110 years, the church has shaped the district. The severe destruction during the Second World War could not change that. In July 1954, the church was rebuilt and its overall form adapted to the former appearance.

In the following decades, the loss of visitors in this church too became more and more noticeable, so that in 2014 the use of the church was largely abandoned.

With shipowner Thomas Ophardt, the church has now received a buyer and thus a new opportunity. The new owner wants to convert the church into an attractive, Christian meeting center for people of all generations.

As a long-standing partner of the Ophardt family, we are now tasked with embarking on this exciting journey together with Mr. Thomas Ophardt.

The building retains its function as a venue for community events, art and cultural topics. The church should remain a place to ask questions, receive answers and impart knowledge, but it should also be a place where people come together over good food and drink.

The use was deliberately contractually regulated with the sellers in advance.

The central church room is given a stand so that the front area of the chancel can be experienced for events.

A bar will be installed in the area of the main entrance in order to be able to offer guests a well-thought-out overall package.

The intermediate stage and organ will be retained and should round off the overall concept of the spacious interior.

In the basement, a modern restaurant invites you to enjoy good food and drinks. With the planned open kitchen, visitors are right in the action and become part of the cooking experience.

Apartments are to be installed in the side aisle and the former chancel to provide accommodation for guest artists, speakers and day visitors.

“The external traditional appearance of the church should be retained,” says buyer Thomas Ophardt, “but people should be curious about the new interior design. I would like to show that with clever redesign and modernization inside the church, not only can an older traditional building be transferred to our day, but that the “old” Christian faith can also be lived in a new modern environment and with new forms of community. ”

Around two million euros are expected to flow into the project, which will be completed in two construction phases. In the end, the result should also give the Laar district a new dynamic.