Religion and Congregations

In the 8th century, Saint Boniface established Roman Catholicism in Germany and it was the official religion through the 13th century. In 1517, Martin Luther changed the course of religious history by leading the establishment of the Protestant religion.

The Thirty Years War in the 17th century effectively divided Germany into two regions. The southern and western states remained Roman Catholic and the northeastern and central regions were Protestant.

When Germany became a unified country in 1871, the Prussian leadership strengthened Protestantism and even banned the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church.

Before WWII, about 2/3 of the population was Protestant. During Hitler's regime, the Roman Catholic Church was able to retain some authority by allowing church-state regulations. The Protestant Church was taken over by the regime and Jews, as well as Mormons were persecuted and sent to concentration camps. Many individual churches and religous leaders actively participated in the resistance.

Today, religion does not play a large role in the lives of Germans and church attendance is quite low. There are roughly the same percentage of Protestants as Catholics, while those not specifying a religious preference are on the rise.

In order to use Protestant or Catholic church facilities for weddings, confirmations, baptisms and funerals you must be registered with the tax office as a member. Churches are primarily funded through taxes and Expatriates may also register and pay taxes to become members of one of the local churches. Evangelical Free churches do not receive tax dollars.

To find out if a particular denomination is practicing in your city, you can look under Kirche in the white pages of the local telephone directory.

Catholic Services

Address: Bernhardstr. 42, 01187 Dresden
Phone: 0351-471 86 59
Website : http://st-paulus-dresden.de/english/mass.htm - Website in English
Contact: Pastor Michael Beschorner SJ
Tram Stop: #8, Bus #61 to Nurnberger Strasse or #3 to Munchner Platz

English celebration of the Eucharist. Website contains a map and good directions to the church. The Catholic Church has several English speaking Priests in Dresden. Contact the Pastor to find out the locations of various English Masses throughout the city.

Christian Services

Christ Church Dresden-Strehlen
Address: Elsa-Brändström-Str. 1 D, 01219 Dresden
Phone: 0351-4709011 / 0351-471033
Website: www.christuskirche-dresdende
Contact: Rev. Matthias Kunze

English language services on the first Sunday of each month at 17:00. Includes a children's service and refreshment time. English language Bible study group meets on the third Sunday of the month at 17:00.

• The church offers various music programs and invites anyone to participate.
• Monthly English language service and bible study.
• Choirs for adults and children, Brass ensemble & string orchestra.
• Contact: Rev. Kunze

International Church of Dresden
Address: Bünaustraße 21, 01159 (Löbtau) Dresden
Phone: 0351- 265 43 51
Tram Stop: Bünaustraße Trams 6, 7, and 12
Website: www.ic-dresden.org
Contact: Pastor Bill Crawford

Weekly English services starting at 10:00.

Bibel Baptisten Gemeinde/Bible Baptist Church
Bismarckstr. 56, 01257 Dresden
Phone: 0351- 8581077
Website: www.baptistengemeinde.de - contact info only
Contact: Pastor Richard Weimer

Weekly English services. Call for time and meeting place.

International Christian Assembly
TanzZentrum Dresden
Schweriner Str.56, 01067 Dresden
(next to Möbelhaus Domäne)

Pastor: Michael and Gabi Hobbs
Tel.: 0351 2596670
Email: icg.ica@gmail.com

Services at 10 am every Sunday morning are held in both German and English. All are welcome.

Morman

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Address: Tiergarten Str. 40, 01219 Dresden
Phone: 0351-471 85 53
Discussion and conversation in English.

Synagogues

Address: Hasenberg 1, 01067 Dresden
Phone: 0351-65 60 70

Address: Bautzener Str 20, Dresden
Phone: 0351-55 49 1

Address: Fiedlerstr 3, Dresden
Phone: 0351-69 33 17