The church of St Nikolai became the spiritual home of the re-unification. In 1981 120 young people occupied this church to vent their anger at the political, social and economic misery many were suffering. The church wasn't sure how to respond to this and so in 1982 they organised Monday prayer meetings at 5pm. Nikolai Church, open to everyone, and their theme, “Swords to Ploughs”. On October 9th, 1989 this prayer meeting was the focal point for 70,000 people to demonstrate. The Stasi said, “We had prepared for everything ......... except candles and prayers”. And so it began, and continued, and re-unification happened under the Velvet Revolution.

Some say that this church began to find its way back to its original destination, not just as a custodian of historical or spiritual property, but a church for all. Bonhoeffer said, “The church is only a church if it is a church for everyone,” ..... even 120 angry young people who don't know what to do with themselves or their society, or the their government or their future.

Maybe it's high time we all opened the doors, welcomed them in and listened.

Since re-unification the church recognised that unemployment was a crisis many were suffering. It started the Ecclesiastical Initiative for the Unemployed of the Nikolai Church and so far has offered counselling services to 61,000 people. They describe themselves as a house of hope.

Picture today, local artist Michael Fischer offers reminders of the past and hope for the future with huge street art. Extras of Leipzig University & the old Rathaus. And one of the Keller where Goethe spent his university years. Apparently, he studied in Leipzig but spent 3 years in the Kellers, not in the classroom, so dad hauled him back home to Frankfurt. Scenes from Faust are set in this Keller. So if it's good enough for Goethe ....