At 133-metres-high its church tower is a similar height to The St. Peter’s tower, so both can be considered the second tallest church towers in Hamburg, the highest being St. Nikolai’s  which is 148-metres. 

The church tower forms the city's skyline and was from the beginning used as a navigation aid for ships on the Elbe to Hamburg. The clock is accompanied by a 106-metres observation deck with panoramic views of the city and harbour.  With a diameter of eight metres, the church tower clock is the largest of its kind in Germany.

The current structure dates back to 1912 after the church burned down in 1906.

The church was rebuilt twice in the 20th century: after the construction fire in 1906 and after the bombings in 1944 and 1945. During the Second World War, the crypt served as a shelter. The crypt was renovated in the early 2000s and is now used for religious services and concerts. About 2500 people were buried in the church's crypt, including composer Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.