Paul Gerhardt church, Gothic church building in Lübben, Germany

Paul Gerhardt church is a Gothic building in Lübben featuring characteristic pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and detailed stone masonry. The structure displays typical features of northern German ecclesiastical architecture with solid walls and skillfully carved details.

Built between 1494 and 1550, probably reusing remains of a predecessor, the church was first named Sankt Nikolai; its tower dates from the mid-15th century and served as a watchtower. Paul Gerhardt was pastor here from 1669 until his death in 1676, and in 1931 the church took his name. In April 1945 the tower burned out; its spire was rebuilt in 1988 using 60 cubic metres of wood and 2,153 kilograms of copper sheeting.

The church has been called Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche since 1931, after the hymn writer who served here as archdeacon from 1669 until his death in 1676. Inside, an oil portrait faces the pulpit, a leaded window in the sacristy depicts him, and a brass memorial tablet made by Dora and Hubert Kleemann was installed in 1976. The side-aisle windows show hymn verses and images of hymn writers from his era.

The tower gallery is reached by 115 steps, and the tower holds a former Türmer apartment where events have been held. The west portal, added in 1930, is made of Ilse clinker brick and shows six figures of Protestant church history. Inside, the 1609 limestone altar, the 1610 font and the pulpit all come from Samuel Hanauer of Strehla.

The tower served as a defensive and watchtower in the mid-15th century and later housed a Türmer family; the post of Türmer is documented into the 18th century, and in 2014 Vera Städter still held it. The tower gallery is reached by 115 steps.