Johanneskirche Meißen

"Every year during the art festival, St. John's Church (absolutely worth a visit, not only on these days) is the regular starting point and starting point for activities for almost all visitors. The parish is very active and exemplary in its commitment, whether through a coffee table with a delicious cake buffet or events such as this year's gospel concert. The remarkable church windows, especially the unique 👉Cöllner👈 ceramics, and some of the church windows (some of which differ from the otherwise typical sacred stained glass window design with images of saints), dominate the magnificent interior. All of this is surpassed only by the stunning view from the church tower of old and new Meissen, with almost all of the nearby destinations and sights that are less well known to outsiders but nevertheless not unimportant."

Harald aus Meissen

"Due to the local conditions in Meissen, St. John's Church is heavily influenced by porcelain. It's something different, and we like it. The concert we attended at the church was also fantastic."

Andreas Cramer

"I've visited so many churches now that I feel I owe it to our St. John's Church right next door. During the day, there are always signs saying "Church Open." So I parked my bike and went inside. A friendly lady greeted me and happily answered my questions. She also raved about the art festival around the church every spring. The midday sun makes the stained glass windows glow. It looks truly magnificent! The windows tell colorful stories. Many of them revolve around St. John the Evangelist and viticulture. The plant ornaments in shades of green on the upper side windows provide a calming balance. Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau combine beautifully and timelessly. Everything is in good condition, including the Jehmlich organ. The roof is currently being renovated. The materials and designs are related to the local economy (ceramic factories, granite quarrying, etc.).
At the inauguration in 1898, Cölln was still independent. Niederfähre-Vorbrücke was added in 1890. The economy boomed, the population happily grew. Next door, the chimney of the sugar factory and the locomotives in the station still smoked. From 1899, the new tram dinghy ran back and forth between the station and the Triebischtal valley. Car-free streets and squares! Steamers hooted past the Elbschlösschen and Cöllner Schlösschen, and bathers jumped over the waves at the Elbbad (Elbbad). During the summer, children mostly ran around in barbs. From the Johannesschule, one could hear them singing: "Go out, my heart, and seek joy in this lovely summertime." Numerous restaurants were well-attended. Innkeeper Fischer ("Zum Römer" on Lutherplatz) had created a beautiful park with viewpoints on the Fürstenberg, where people strolled on Sundays, and at Pentecost, the men's choir sang: "Mariechen sat weeping in the garden, in the grass lay her child slumbering." This particularly touched the hearts of the women of Cölln (listen to it on YouTube, with Renate Nielsen). The New St. John's Cemetery was there from 1909. Colonial goods from Africa, China, and the "German South Seas" were displayed in the shop windows. The Kaiser in Berlin was respected, but King Albert and his Queen Carola in Dresden were revered. The "Friends of Nature" beautification society was busy working. The Luther linden tree next door was only blooming for the fifteenth time. When the sun sank behind the castle hill in the evening and the nightingales began to sing, the night watchman made his rounds and lit the gas lamps. Since 1861, the illuminating gas had been piped from the gasworks on Karl-Niesner-Straße (then Schulstraße) over the Elbe Bridge.
The parishes were still growing, and larger churches were needed. Thus, in 1904, a similar Luther Church was built in the Triebischtal valley, which is now used for other purposes, and the new St. John's Church was built next door to replace the small, old Cölln Urban Church. It reflects the self-confidence and prosperity of old Cölln. For many, it was an honor and a matter of faith to contribute actively and financially. The neo-Gothic tower towered proudly; the cathedral on the other side of the Elbe had only the "Höckriger Turm" (Humpbacked Tower) at the southeast corner until the magnificent western towers were completed in 1908. The tower clocks and the ringing of the bells certainly still played a significant role in people's daily routines at that time. In 1901, Meissen's efforts finally succeeded, and Cölln was incorporated into the city. Much has changed since then, but St. John's Church remains the visible focal point of Cölln. And there's a lot going on here, as can be seen from the items inside and on the parish website. Meanwhile, the St. John's Church congregation, the Trinitatis Church congregation, and the St. Andreas Church congregation in Zadel have become sister congregations ("Three Charming Sisters" - a GDR TV series in memory of Helga Göring from Meissen), thus leveraging synergy effects. Well, one, two, three, time flies; we're running with it. But in the small park in front of the entrance portal, you can linger on one of the benches. And squint in the sun."

Lothar Oberritter