What Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf does

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf is the official Protestant church district organization serving the city of Düsseldorf, Germany, operating as a constituent unit of the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (EKiR) within the broader Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD). The organization encompasses 17 Kirchengemeinden (parishes) operating approximately 30 churches, chapels, Kitas (childcare centers), youth centers, and community facilities across all districts of Düsseldorf. Its service portfolio spans worship services and sacraments, life milestone ceremonies (baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals), pastoral care and chaplaincy delivered in schools, hospitals, prisons, and at Düsseldorf Airport, social assistance programs, and senior and youth programs, with all core religious services provided free of charge to the public.

The organization's digital infrastructure centers on a unified ChurchDesk-powered website (evdus.de) offering multi-language accessibility across 16 languages, event calendars, an interactive parish finder, contact and registration forms, and a digital magazine section. Weekly Sunday services from the Johanneskirche Stadtkirche are livestreamed on YouTube with on-demand archives; a radio program 'Himmel und Erde' is broadcast on Antenne Düsseldorf; and Matomo provides privacy-first web analytics with Cookiebot managing GDPR consent. Distribution spans physical parish locations, Kitas operated in partnership with Diakonie Düsseldorf, Zentrum plus senior centers, youth centers (Offener Treff, T-Punkt, PH-Treff), and institutional chaplaincy channels.

The organization is funded primarily through Kirchensteuer (church tax) collected by the German state from registered Protestant members, supplemented by voluntary donations, charitable contributions, and parish fees — revenue mechanics structurally distinct from a commercial enterprise, with no publicly disclosed financial figures. The district is undergoing a major structural transformation through its 'Eine Gemeinde 2028' program adopted in June 2024, addressing declining membership through parish consolidation (Kaiserswerth-Tersteegen and Linksrheinisch mergers in 2025, Düsseldorf-Süd in 2020) and programmatic innovation including the August 2025 Pop-Up Hochzeit service and hosting of the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag in May 2027.

Name

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf

Legal name

Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf

Website

https://evdus.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf is a nonprofit Protestant church district encompassing 17 parishes and approximately 30 churches across Düsseldorf, Germany, providing worship services, pastoral care, Kitas, youth and senior programs, and social services, funded primarily through state-collected church tax on registered members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Pastoral care
• Worship services
• Church community
• Social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf is a Protestant church district serving the city of Düsseldorf, Germany, providing worship services, sacraments (baptism, confirmation, weddings, funerals), pastoral care and counseling, social assistance, daycare (Kitas), youth programs, church music, and community events. It encompasses 17 Kirchengemeinden (parishes) and approximately 30 churches, chapels, and community facilities across all city districts, operating under the umbrella of the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (EKiR). All religious and social services are provided free of charge to the public, funded primarily through church tax (Kirchensteuer) collected from registered members.

Product overview

The Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf operates a unified digital church platform (evdus.de) serving multiple Protestant parishes across Düsseldorf neighborhoods. The core offering is a comprehensive parish portal providing worship services (including YouTube livestreaming from Johanneskirche), event calendars, news/magazine content, and digital registration forms via ChurchDesk. Supporting services include church music programs with various choirs and concerts, pastoral care (seelsorge) covering counseling, hospital/prison/airport chaplaincy and funeral services, social assistance programs, and children's/youth services through daycare centers (Kitas) in partnership with Diakonie Düsseldorf. The church district also runs forward-looking programs including 'Eine Gemeinde 2028' restructuring initiative and will host the Kirchentag 2027. Key innovations include Pop-Up Hochzeit wedding services offering spontaneous blessings at multiple urban locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Johanneskirche: The Stadtkirche (city church) located in the heart of Düsseldorf's city center, serving as the main evangelical church of the city.
• Mosaik-Kollektiv

Products and services

• Worship Services (Gottesdienste) Weekly worship services held across all parishes, including traditional liturgical services, family church formats, and special services like Choral Evensong and Johannesmesse at Johanneskirche Stadtkirche. Open to all Düsseldorf residents.
• Livestreaming Worship Services Live and on-demand broadcasting of worship services, Choral Evensong, and Johannesmesse from Johanneskirche Stadtkirche via YouTube. Archived recordings accessible on demand for global audiences.
• Pastoral Care and Counseling Services (Seelsorge) Multiple pastoral care offerings including regular counseling, crisis support, funeral/mourning accompaniment, hospital chaplaincy, school chaplaincy, deaf/hearing-impaired pastoral care, airport chaplaincy, and prison chaplaincy. Open to individuals and families in need.
• Children and Youth Services (Kitas and Youth Work) Daycare centers (Kitas) operated in partnership with Diakonie Düsseldorf across multiple parishes, plus youth work, confirmation preparation (Konfizeit), open youth centers (Offener Treff), and youth association activities for children and adolescents aged 6-18.
• Social Assistance Programs Comprehensive social support services including family assistance, poverty/homelessness help (e.g., Benrather Tüte food assistance), refugee/migration support, addiction help, debt counseling, and elder care assistance for individuals and families in need.
• Church Music Program Comprehensive church music offerings including choirs, brass ensembles, children's choirs, musical vespers, concerts, and special music events across multiple parishes, led by Kantors (church musicians).
• Pop-Up Hochzeit (Wedding) Services Innovative wedding service offering spontaneous, flexible church blessings at multiple urban locations. First event held August 30, 2025 with 65 couples at 7 blessing locations across Düsseldorf Altstadt. Open to all couples seeking a non-traditional church wedding.
• Radio Program 'Himmel und Erde' Radio broadcasts produced for Antenne Düsseldorf featuring reports on church events, social issues, and community stories. All past episodes available for replay. Targets general public in the Düsseldorf area.
• Event Calendar and Parish Directory (evdus.de) Comprehensive digital platform providing event calendar, parish finder map, magazine, and directory of all Protestant churches, parishes, and community locations across Düsseldorf neighborhoods. Multi-language support and accessibility features included.
• Eine Gemeinde 2028 Program Strategic restructuring program 'Eine Gemeinde 2028' addressing declining church membership, demographic changes, and increasing need for orientation and pastoral care. Includes goalbild 2035 vision document. Targets internal organizational transformation.
• Kirchentag 2027 Hosting Hosting of the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag (German Protestant Church Day) scheduled for May 5-9, 2027, the third time Düsseldorf hosts this major religious and cultural event (previously 1973 and 1985). Targeted at the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65 couples served at one pop-up wedding event
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Floristik EggertminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 August 2025Floristik Eggert provided floral decorations for all seven blessing locations of the first Pop-Up Hochzeit event on August 30, 2025, which served 65 couples across Düsseldorf Altstadt.
• ChurchDeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationChurchDesk provides the content management system powering the church district's website (evdus.de), including event calendars, registration forms for baptisms, weddings, and contact inquiries, and parish management tools. The partnership is evidenced by the ChurchDesk login link and branding in the website footer.
• Ökumenische Hospizbewegung Düsseldorf SüdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe church district collaborates closely with the ökumenische Hospizbewegung Düsseldorf Süd for hospice and terminal care services. The organization operates the 'Laden LebensWert' near the Dankeskirche in Benrath, providing professionally trained volunteer accompaniment for people at the end of life. The Benrath parish actively refers community members to this service.
• Diakonie DüsseldorfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiakonie Düsseldorf is the primary social service partner of the church district, operating Kitas (childcare centers), Zentrum plus senior centers, food assistance programs (Benrather Tüte), and social counseling in close coordination with the parishes. Multiple parishes list Diakonie Düsseldorf as their Kita operator and social services partner.
• Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (EKiR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Evangelische Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf is a constituent district of the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (EKiR), the regional Protestant church body. EKiR sets doctrinal and administrative frameworks, coordinates the Kirchentag 2027 as host, and provides institutional support for the church district's operations.
• Deutscher Evangelischer KirchentagmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag, an independent association founded in 1949, partners with the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland as host for the 2027 Kirchentag in Düsseldorf. The church district and its parishes will participate as venues, volunteers, and organizers for the May 5-9, 2027 event.
• Antenne DüsseldorfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAntenne Düsseldorf broadcasts the church district's radio program 'Himmel und Erde' featuring reports on church events, community life, and social issues. The radio show serves as a marketing and community outreach channel for the church district.
• City of Düsseldorf (Stadt Düsseldorf)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe church district operates in partnership with the Stadt Düsseldorf through school social work (Schulsozialarbeit) at multiple schools, coordination of Kita services via the city's Kita-Navigator, and participation in city social programs. Parish offices maintain addresses and contacts within the municipal system.
• GGS Schloß Benrath and GGS Selma-Lagerlöf schoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Benrath parish maintains ongoing weekly school worship services (Schulgottesdienste) with GGS Schloß Benrath and monthly services with GGS Selma-Lagerlöf in Hassels, along with special services at school opening, Christmas, and end-of-year events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Citypastoral Köln (Citypastoral): Catholic city-pastoral initiative in Cologne experimenting with non-traditional worship formats and pop-up blessing events in urban contexts — a directly comparable peer for the Düsseldorf Pop-Up Hochzeit innovation model and emerging-formats benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Köln: Protestant Kirchenkreis covering the Cologne metropolitan area under the same EKiR regional body; directly comparable in scale, structure (multi-parish Kirchenkreis), governance, Kirchensteuer funding model, and Diakonie partnership patterns.
• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Essen: EKiR Kirchenkreis in the Ruhr metropolitan area facing similar urban Protestant membership decline and parish-consolidation pressures; comparable in social-services depth (Diakonie integration, Kita operations) and post-industrial demographic profile.
• Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Bonn: Sister Kirchenkreis within Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland serving a similarly sized German city; comparable in parish-fusion history, restructuring pressures, and 'Gemeinde der Zukunft' style transformation programs.

Broad incumbents

• Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern: Largest non-Rheinland German Protestant regional church (ELYK) operating under the same EKD but with distinct Kirchensteuer administration; comparable in multi-parish digital platform deployment (ChurchDesk-style) and Kirchentag co-hosting experience.
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD): National umbrella of 20 EKD member churches including EKiR; sets doctrinal/strategic frameworks affecting the Kirchenkreis and is the indirect owner-of-record for the Kirchensteuer collection apparatus.
• Erzbistum Köln (Catholic Archdiocese): Catholic counterpart covering the same broader Rhineland geography; operates with the same Kirchensteuer mechanism, parallel social-services apparatus (Caritas), comparable parish infrastructure, and shared safeguarding/prevention mandate.

Others

• Diakonie Deutschland: National federation of Protestant social-service providers with which the Kirchenkreis partners via Diakonie Düsseldorf for Kitas, Zentrum plus, and welfare programs; comparable operating model in social-services delivery though operating at national scale.
• Caritasverband Düsseldorf: Catholic counterpart to Diakonie Düsseldorf operating in the same city; provides a comparable social-services/welfare peer that competes with the Kirchenkreis's Diakonie partnership in refugee support, senior care, and addiction counseling.

Regional players

• Bistum Essen (Catholic Diocese): Catholic diocese operating in adjacent North Rhine-Westphalia cities with parallel parish/Kita/sozialwerk structure; useful comparable for benchmarking digital engagement and youth ministry approaches.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/JohanneskircheStadtkircheD%C3%BCsseldorf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/evangelischer-kirchenkreis-d%C3%BCsseldorf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Evangelischer Kirchenkreis Düsseldorf