Evangelisches Johanneswerk

The Evangelisches Johanneswerk (Ev. Johanneswerk) is a major German diaconal organisation headquartered in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. It operates more than 70 inpatient facilities and numerous outpatient services, schools, workshops, and subsidiaries at over 40 locations across the state. With around 7,300 employees, it is one of the largest diaconal providers in Germany. The organisation is legally structured as a non-profit limited liability company (gemeinnützige GmbH, gGmbH) under the umbrella of the Stiftung Johannesstift, a foundation whose roots go back to 1852. Its services target elderly and sick people, people with disabilities, people with mental illnesses, children, youth, and families, as well as industrial and business clients. The Johanneswerk was founded in 1951 by Pastor Karl Pawlowski, who united seven Protestant associations and foundations. Its main business areas are elderly care (Altenhilfe), participation services (Teilhabeleistungen) for people with assistance needs, and mental health (Seelische Gesundheit) with specialised clinics. The organisation is active in advocacy for social participation and operates a foundation called 'mitLeidenschaft' to support projects for people in poverty, children, people with disabilities, and dementia. The Johanneswerk celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2026 and looks ahead to the 175th anniversary of its root institution, the Johannesstift, in 2027.

The roots of the Evangelisches Johanneswerk lie in the Johannesstift, founded in 1852 in Bielefeld-Schildesche by parish pastors Johann Hinrich Volkening (1796–1877) and Clamor Huchzermeier (1809–1899) as a 'rescue house' for endangered children and youth. Over time, it developed into one of the large reformatory education institutions in Westphalia. In 1932, Pastor Karl Pawlowski (1898–1964) converted the Johannesstift into a home for the elderly and nursing care. On 28 February 1951, Pawlowski founded the Johanneswerk in Bielefeld, uniting seven Protestant associations and foundations active in various locations in North Rhine-Westphalia. The central seat of the new organisation was established at the Johannesstift. The merger was the result of Pawlowski's long-standing commitment to 'larger amalgamations' of diaconal institutions that 'are more sustainable and can work more generously'. Key goals at the time included better external representation of individual institutions, development of sustainable organisational structures, opening new fields of work, and improved social benefits for employees. The local press described the Johanneswerk at its founding celebration as a 'bulwark against need' and a 'contribution to social peace'. In 1951, around 30 institutions belonged to the Johanneswerk, including retirement homes and children's homes. Under Pawlowski's leadership, the organisation experienced strong growth during the 'economic miracle' years. After his death in August 1964, Pastor Werner Graf von der Schulenburg (1908–1979) led the Johanneswerk from 1965 to 1973, focusing on organisational, financial, and professional consolidation, and implementing a new collegial leadership structure and employee co-determination. Dr. Hartmut Dietrich (1928–2017) followed from 1974. In 2001, the foundation 'mitLeidenschaft – Stiftung zur Innovation und Förderung in der diakonischen Arbeit' was established to help older people and families living in poverty, and to promote projects for children, people with disabilities, and dementia. In February 2018, the Evangelisches Johanneswerk became a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH), with the Stiftung Johannesstift as sole shareholder. The foundation board, consisting of Ingo Habenicht (chair), Bodo de Vries (deputy), Burkhard Bensiek, and Sabine Hirte, also manages the business of the Johanneswerk. The foundation council, with five to nine honorary members, heads the foundation. The gGmbH is divided into regions, each led by a regional manager, with individual facilities led by house managers. As of 2026, Sabine Hirte chairs the management board and foundation board. The Johanneswerk celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2026 and looks forward to the 175th anniversary of the Johannesstift in 2027, with a focus on sustainability.

• 2026

  Sabine Hirte becomes chair of the management board and foundation board; the Johanneswerk celebrates its 75th anniversary.

• 2018

  In February, the Evangelisches Johanneswerk becomes a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH) under the Stiftung Johannesstift.

• 2001

  Foundation 'mitLeidenschaft – Stiftung zur Innovation und Förderung in der diakonischen Arbeit' established.

• 1974

  Dr. Hartmut Dietrich becomes director.

• 1965

  Pastor Werner Graf von der Schulenburg becomes director, serving until 1973.

• 1964

  Karl Pawlowski dies in August; he had led the Johanneswerk as director since 1951.

• 1951

  On 28 February, Pastor Karl Pawlowski founds the Evangelisches Johanneswerk in Bielefeld, uniting seven Protestant associations and foundations.

• 1932

  Pastor Karl Pawlowski converts the Johannesstift into a home for the elderly and nursing care.

• 1852

  Johannesstift founded in Bielefeld-Schildesche as a 'rescue house' for endangered children and youth.

• The Johannesstift, the root institution, will celebrate its 175th anniversary.

A large diaconal provider rooted in Protestant social welfare, offering a broad spectrum of care and support services across North Rhine-Westphalia, with a focus on social participation and future-oriented, sustainable development.

• Altenhilfe (Elderly Care)

  37 inpatient facilities with short-term and day care, outpatient nursing services, residential projects, and meeting centres across North Rhine-Westphalia. More than 3,500 employees care for over 3,400 elderly people daily.

• Teilhabeleistungen (Participation Services)

  Six residential associations supporting around 1,500 children, youth, and adults with assistance needs, primarily in the Ruhr area and Märkischer Kreis. Includes Studjo, a workshop for people with disabilities (WfbM) at seven locations, employing over 1,000 people.

• Seelische Gesundheit (Mental Health)

  Two clinics with affiliated day clinics for psychosomatic medicine, psychotherapy, and psychiatry: Rhein-Klinik in Bad Honnef and Klinik Wittgenstein with day clinic in Netphen. Also includes the forensic clinic 'Niederrhein Therapiezentrum' (NTZ) in Duisburg with 100 inpatient places for drug-addicted male offenders, jointly operated with von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel.

• Familienzentrum Bielefeld

  Family centre with kindergartens 'Pappelhof' and 'Sonnenblume' in Bielefeld.

1. 1Start: Evangelisches Johanneswerk - Johanneswerkjohanneswerk.de
2. 2Ev. Johanneswerk | Unsere Geschichte - Johanneswerkjohanneswerk.de
3. 3Ev. Johanneswerk | Publikationen & Vorträge - Johanneswerkjohanneswerk.de
4. 4Ev. Johanneswerk | Gründer & Unternehmensleiter - Johanneswerkjohanneswerk.de
5. 5Evangelisches Johanneswerk - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Evangelisches Johanneswerk - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org