Ev.-Luth Kirche

What Ev.-Luth Kirche does

Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek is an evangelical Lutheran parish (Kirchengemeinde) located in Schwarzenbek, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, operating as a non-profit religious organization under the Ev.-Luth. Kirchenkreis Lübeck-Lauenburg within the Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland. Since January 2025, the parish forms a shared Pfarrsprengel with three neighboring Kirchengemeinden (Kuddewörde, Sahms, Siebeneichen), collectively serving Schwarzenbek and 18+ surrounding localities through a team of four pastors and one youth deacon. The parish operates as a multi-service civic institution: it runs two Kindertagesstätten (St. Franziskus with 137 children in 8 groups, St. Elisabeth with approximately 141 children in 9 groups) employing 59 pedagogical staff, manages two cemeteries (Alter Friedhof, established 1838 and classified as a cultural monument since 2011; Neuer Friedhof, established 1893), and operates the Ev. Familienzentrum St. Elisabeth and Ev. Familienbildungsstätte Schwarzenbek, which deliver family support services including wellcome and Familienpaten programs.

The parish's revenue model is dominated by the German church tax (Kirchensteuer) collected through the state tax system from registered members, supplemented by KiTa parental fees (Gebühren), cemetery fees (per Friedhofsgebührensatzung), voluntary donations (Spenden and Kollekten), and membership fees from Fördervereine and the Freundeskreis für die Kirchenmusik (€30/year). Outreach is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth, family referrals, and the institutional network of the Kirchenkreis rather than commercial marketing. The KiTas offer differentiated programs including integration groups for children with special educational needs, a Waldgruppe, and certifications such as Evangelisches Gütesiegel (since 2012), Anerkannter Bewegungskindergarten (since 2010), and Juniorcampus partnership with Technische Hochschule Lübeck (since 2008). The parish runs an active music program (Kantorei with 32 members, Posaunenchor with 13 members, Jugendchor, Kindersingschule) led by Kantor Markus Götze.

Name

Ev.-Luth Kirche

Legal name

Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek

Website

https://kirche-schwarzenbek.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek is a Lutheran parish in Schleswig-Holstein operating two KiTas, two cemeteries, a family center, and a family education center, serving Schwarzenbek and 18+ localities through a shared Pfarrsprengel of four churches.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Religious parish services
• Early childhood education
• Cemetery services
• Family support services
• Church music programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Schwarzenbek

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Church Tax (Kirchensteuer): German law entitles registered churches to collect a portion of income tax (Kirchensteuer) from their members. This is the primary and most significant revenue stream for German Protestant (Evangelische) parishes, including the Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek.
2. Donations and Offerings: The congregation collects voluntary donations (Spenden) and weekly offerings (Kollekten) during worship services. A dedicated spendenkonto is maintained at Kreissparkasse Hzgt. Lauenburg for specific purposes (children/youth, church music, church preservation).
3. Kindergarten Fees: Parents pay childcare fees (Gebühren) for Kita St. Elisabeth and Kita St. Franziskus according to published fee schedules. These fees are partially subsidized by the church as operator/trustee. Fee schedules are established by Kirchengemeinderat and are publicly disclosed.
4. Cemetery/Funeral Fees: The Kirchengemeinde operates two cemeteries (Alter Friedhof and Neuer Friedhof) and charges fees for burials, grave plots, and cemetery maintenance services, governed by the Friedhofsgebührensatzung.
5. Freundeskreis Membership: The Freundeskreis für die Kirchenmusik charges an annual membership fee of €30.00 and solicits targeted donations to support the choir and music program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek is a non-profit Evangelical Lutheran parish providing religious worship and pastoral care, operating two Kindertagesstätten (St. Franziskus and St. Elisabeth) offering full-day early childhood education for ~290 children, managing two cemeteries (Alter Friedhof and Neuer Friedhof), and running family support services through the Ev. Familienzentrum and Ev. Familienbildungsstätte including wellcome and Familienpaten programs. The parish also operates a music program comprising Kantorei, Posaunenchor, Jugendchor, and Kindersingschule. Since January 2025, it participates in a shared Pfarrsprengel with three neighboring congregations under the Ev.-Luth. Kirchenkreis Lübeck-Lauenburg.

Product overview

Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek is a church community offering a diverse portfolio of religious, educational, and social services. The core offerings include two Kindertagesstätten (daycare centers) - St. Franziskus (137 children, 8 groups) and St. Elisabeth (141 children, 9 groups) - both providing early childhood education with religious pedagogy, integration support, and special needs care. The church operates two cemeteries (Alter Friedhof and Neuer Friedhof), an Ev. Familienzentrum family center offering wellcome and Familienpaten support services, and various music programs including Kantorei, Jugendchor, Kindersingschule, and Posaunenchor. Since January 2025, the congregation participates in a Pfarrsprengel union with neighboring parishes to share pastoral resources. The St.-Franziskus-Kirche serves as the main worship venue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ev. Familienzentrum St. Elisabeth: A family center operated by the congregation offering family support services, including wellcome and Familienpaten programs.
• Kindertagesstätte St. Franziskus
• Kindertagesstätte St. Elisabeth
• Ev. Familienbildungsstätte Schwarzenbek

Products and services

• Kindertagesstätte St. Franziskus A daycare facility operated by the church providing care for 137 children from over 25 nations in 8 groups, including integration groups for children with special needs. Features religious pedagogy, situational approach education, and integrative work.
• Kindertagesstätte St. Elisabeth A daycare facility operated by the church providing care for approximately 141 children in 9 groups including Krippen (crèche), Elementar, Waldgruppe (forest group), and Hort (after-school care). Holds Evangelisches Gütesiegel and Anerkannter Bewegungskindergarten certifications.
• Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery) The old cemetery established in 1838, located in Uhlenhorst, designated as a simple cultural monument (Einfaches Kulturdenkmal). Features various grave types including urn gardens, quiet corners, and memorial fields. Serves all residents regardless of denomination.
• Neuer Friedhof (New Cemetery) The new cemetery established in 1893 at Möllner Straße, offering multiple burial options including urn walls, tree graves, anonymous burial fields, and a Sternenkindergrab (memorial for stillborn children). Serves all residents regardless of denomination.
• Sternenkindergrab (Memorial for Stillborn Children) A memorial grave for Sternenkinder (angel babies/stillborn children) located on the Neuer Friedhof, providing dignified burial options free of charge for parents of children who died during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after.
• St.-Franziskus-Kirche (Worship Services and Pastoral Care) The main church in the city center hosting weekly and seasonal worship services, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. Open for visits during market days (Wednesday and Saturday 10-12). Pastoral care offered by appointment.
• Ev. Familienzentrum St. Elisabeth (Family Center) An evangelical family center offering various family support services including wellcome support for new parents and Familienpaten (family mentors) services. Located at Verbrüderungsring 41.
• Ev. Familienbildungsstätte Schwarzenbek (Family Education Center) Family education center offering programs including wellcome family support, Familienpaten mentoring, and the Kindersingschule (children's singing school).
• wellcome Family Support Program Practical support service for young families with newborns, providing trained volunteers who help 1-2 times per week for 2-3 hours with sibling care, stroller walks, and pediatrician visits.
• Familienpaten (Family Mentor Program) Family mentor program supporting families with children aged 1-3 years, providing 2-3 hours weekly of help with child supervision, play, reading, and playground visits. Coordinated in cooperation with the Deutscher Kinderschutzbund.
• Kantorei (Church Choir) The church choir with 32 members performing classical sacred music including Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Handel's Messiah, and works from various musical periods. Led by Kantor Markus Götze.
• Jugendchor (Youth Choir) Youth choir for children and teenagers aged 10 and older, meeting Fridays 15:00-16:15, singing in worship services and family services.
• Kindersingschule (Children's Singing School) Children's singing school led by Kantor Markus Götze, with groups for preschool children (4.5+ years) and elementary school children, meeting Tuesdays 15:15-16:00. Cost: €20 per quarter.
• Posaunenchor (Brass Choir) Brass choir with 13 members, founded in 1966, led by Markus Götze since 2003. Meets Tuesdays 19:30-20:45 in St. Franziskus-Kirche. Offers brass instrument lessons.
• Pfarrsprengel Schwarzenbek (Shared Pastoral Parish) A pastoral parish union since January 2025 combining the congregations of Kuddewörde, Sahms, Schwarzenbek, and Siebeneichen to share resources and ministry, jointly served by four pastors and one youth deacon.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 290 children cared for daily across two KiTas, with integration groups serving children with special needs on equal terms.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ev.-Luth. Kirchenkreis Lübeck-LauenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The parent church district (Kirchenkreis) provides institutional oversight, shared resources, and administrative support. The Kirchengemeinde Schwarzenbek is part of this Kirchenkreis, and the shared Pfarrsprengel model (since January 2025) includes partner Kirchengemeinden Kuddewörde, Sahms, and Siebeneichen within the same Kirchenkreis structure.
• Kirchengemeinden Kuddewörde, Sahms, Siebeneichen (Pfarrsprengel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Since January 2025, four Kirchengemeinden (Kuddewörde, Sahms, Schwarzenbek, Siebeneichen) have formed a shared Pfarrsprengel. They share four pastors (Simone Ripke, Gabriela Wilmer, Andreas Schöer, Stefan Wilmer) and one youth deacon (Lennart Feldmann), enabling joint events, worship services, and collaborative decision-making through a shared Pfarrsprengelausschuss.
• Technische Hochschule Lübeck (Juniorcampus)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Kita St. Elisabeth is a Netzwerkpartner of the Juniorcampus at Technische Hochschule Lübeck. Staff undergo annual NaWi training; the Kita submits an 'Auszeichnungsheft' documenting activities for renewal. This partnership brings science and technology education to preschool children.
• Microsoft (Schlaumäuse Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Since 2005, Kita St. Elisabeth has been an official 'Schlaumäuse-Kindergarten,' using Microsoft-developed educational software for language development in children aged 4–6. The software was co-developed with didactics experts at TU Berlin.
• Förderverein KiTa-Mäuse e.V.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1995Founded 1995 to support Kita St. Elisabeth financially and ideationally. Organizes the annual Adventsmarkt, Tortenbüffet at the Schwarzenbek Christmas market, Kinderdisco, Mäusefest, and Flohmarkt 'Mäuse-Truhe'. Supports equipment purchases and annual events.
• Förderverein Schwarzenbeker Zwerge e.V.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1993Founded November 1993 to support Kita St. Franziskus. Raises funds through events (Flohmarkt 'Hits für Kids', Laternenumzüge, Mitmach-Konzert with Volker Rosin) and membership fees. Contributed over €110,000 in the first decade.
• Lebenshilfewerk MöllnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA certified external catering company (zertifiziertes Lebensmittelunternehmen) that delivers fresh daily meals to Kita St. Franziskus. Dietary requirements, religious and cultural considerations, and intolerances are accommodated.
• Deutscher KinderschutzbundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Familienpaten program is coordinated in cooperation with the Deutscher Kinderschutzbund (German Child Protection Association). Qualified training for volunteers is provided through this partnership.
• wellcome gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe wellcome program is a nationally coordinated early family support initiative run by wellcome gGmbH. The local coordinator (Conny Schermann) is trained and supported through this network. Families receive practical support from trained volunteers.
• Grundschule Schwarzenbek Nord-Ost and Grund- und Gemeinschaftsschule SchwarzenbekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal Kooperationsvereinbarungen (cooperation agreements) exist between Kita St. Elisabeth and both local elementary schools to support smooth transitions from KiTa to school. The Kita also participates in the Schlaufuchs preschool preparation project.
• Eingliederungshilfe des Kreises Herzogtum Lauenburg / FrühförderungseinrichtungencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor the three integration groups at Kita St. Franziskus, the KiTa works closely with the district's Eingliederungshilfe (integration assistance) and Frühförderung (early intervention) services to support children with special educational needs.
• Kreissparkasse Hzgt. LauenburgminorOthersProvides banking services for the congregation, including the designated Spendenkonto for donations (IBAN: DE55 2305 2750 0086 0484 93) and the Kita St. Franziskus bank account (IBAN: DE52 2305 2750 0086 0255 58).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Direct peers

• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Kuddewörde: One of the three partner Kirchengemeinden in Schwarzenbek's Pfarrsprengel (since January 2025). Operates as an independent parish sharing 4 pastors and 1 Jugenddiakon with Schwarzenbek, providing the closest possible structural and operational peer comparison.
• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Mölln: Neighboring Kirchengemeinde within the same Ev.-Luth. Kirchenkreis Lübeck-Lauenburg. Comparable Protestant parish structure, also serving a small Schleswig-Holstein town with mixed pastoral, educational, and community services.
• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Siebeneichen: Pfarrsprengel partner parish sharing the same 4-pastor team since January 2025. Provides a like-for-like comparison of how the shared-resource model performs across parishes.
• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Ratzeburg: Neighboring Kirchengemeinde in the same Kirchenkreis Lübeck-Lauenburg, serving the Ratzeburg area. Comparable parish operating model under identical regional church governance and tax regime.
• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Sahms: Pfarrsprengel partner parish sharing pastoral resources with Schwarzenbek since January 2025. Comparable in scale and service mix within the same Kirchenkreis Lübeck-Lauenburg.
• Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Bad Oldesloe: Larger Kirchengemeinde within the same Kirchenkreis, operating an expanded portfolio of community and educational services. Useful as a scaled-up reference for what a more resourced parish in the same system looks like.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Schleswig-Holstein: The regional Protestant social services arm, affiliated with the same church structure. Operates overlapping childcare, family support, and elder care services across Schleswig-Holstein.
• Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland (ELK.Nord): The regional umbrella church body that includes Schwarzenbek's Kirchenkreis. Sets governance, personnel, and funding rules that directly shape this parish's operating model.
• Caritasverband für das Erzbistum Hamburg: The Catholic counterpart operating comparable family, education, and social services across the same Hamburg/Northern Germany region. Competes for the same KiTa slots, family-support funding, and volunteer engagement.

Regional players

• AWO Kreisverband Herzogtum Lauenburg: Arbeiterwohlfahrt operates competing daycare facilities and family support programs within the same Kreis (county) as Schwarzenbek. Direct competitor for KiTa slots and Familienpaten-style volunteer engagement in the local market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ev--luth-kirche

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ev.-Luth Kirche