Neanderkirche (Neander Church), Dusseldorf

The Neander Church is the oldest Protestant church in Dusseldorf, standing in the heart of the city’s historic Altstadt. This early Baroque structure, completed in 1687, originally served as the city’s first Reformist church and marked a significant moment for Protestant worship in Dusseldorf following a long period of restricted religious freedoms. Although it was initially designed to remain unobtrusive due to public opposition, the Neanderkirche has grown into a prominent landmark, now seating around 500 attendees.

Named in 1916 after the 17th-century hymn writer and Reformed minister Joachim Neander, the church remains a key site for Protestant worship under the Evangelical Parish of Dusseldorf-Mitte. The interior’s renowned acoustics make it a beloved venue for chamber music and a long-standing series of summer organ concerts, featuring the Rieger organ installed in 1965. This organ, designed by Gerhard Schwarz and Hubert Meyers, attracts both local and international musicians, adding to the church's reputation as a cultural hub. The church’s choir, initially founded by musician Oskar Gottlieb Blarr and continued under various directors, also enriches its musical legacy, making the Neander Church a central part of Dusseldorf’s spiritual and cultural life.