Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary

The Sisterhood of Mary was founded in the post-war period on 30 March 1947 following a spiritual revival among young people. It was established by Mother Basilea (Dr. Klara Schlink), together with Mother Martyria (Erika Madauss) and the Methodist superintendent Paul Riedinger, who also gave the two women their religious names.

In the years that followed, the sisters built their motherhouse and the motherhouse chapel themselves using rubble stones from buildings destroyed in Darmstadt during the war.

After completing her education and studies, Klara Schlink returned to Darmstadt together with Erika Madauss, responding to what she believed to be a call from Jesus. The expected promise of Bible courses did not materialize as anticipated, resulting in several years of waiting. During the Second World War, their ministry in girls’ Bible groups in Darmstadt continued and led to a revival following the destruction of the city during the bombing night of 11–12 September 1944. Despite the difficult living conditions in the aftermath of the war, youth work expanded. For many participants, the Christian faith and their relationship with Jesus gained new personal significance. As a result of this revival, the first seven sisters were formally received into the community in 1947.

The motherhouse of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary is located on Heidelberger Landstraße in Darmstadt-Eberstadt. It stands on an approximately nine-hectare site called “Kanaan,” a reference to the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12).

The grounds contain symbolic references to biblical places, including the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, Jacob’s Well, Mount Tabor, and a Bethlehem grotto. A central feature is the “Garden of Jesus’ Suffering,” which depicts stations from the Passion of Jesus. Similar gardens of the Passion can also be visited at other branch locations.

Kanaan is open daily to visitors from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is intended as a place of silence, prayer, and encounter with Jesus.

In addition to the motherhouse, the community maintains branches with smaller Kanaan centers in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Finland, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Norway, Paraguay, Switzerland, and the United States.