Here at Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Straße stands the Bethlehemkirche. Inaugurated in 1965, the Bethlehemkirche’s design came from Düsseldorf architect Rainer Herbeck. Notice the white exterior. The folded roof and the freestanding bell tower easily catch the eye.
Interestingly, a star tops the bell tower instead of a cross. This was because the then-reformed pastor Hütt did not prefer a cross. Hermann Focke, a Mataré student, created the stainless steel star in 1983. It symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. That star guided the three wise men from the Orient to Bethlehem, the “House of Bread”.
Let’s step inside the Bethlehemkirche through the glass door into the large foyer. To the left are the community hall and the cantor’s office. To the right, you’ll see wooden entrance doors leading to the church room. Hermann Focke designed these doors in 1964. The doors depict the salvation history of the Old Testament on the right. The creation is on the left. Circles symbolize tranquility. Triangles symbolize unrest, dynamics, and harshness. Bronze door handles feature Adam and Eve on the left and a fish on the right.
Once inside the Bethlehemkirche, notice how light floods the space. Hans Hofacker designed the church windows in white and blue tones. They create a special atmosphere. The weather outside and the sunlight influence the atmosphere. The interior maintains a strict architectural style. White walls contrast with black rows of chairs. An elongated altar table holds a relatively small altar cross. Hermann Focke also designed this cross in 1983. Behind it, the organ rises with the cantor’s recessed seat. The pulpit stands to the left. It marks the true center of the Bethlehemkirche. Nothing should distract from the sermon, from the Word of God.
The two-manual organ with pedals comes from the Schuke company in Berlin. They built it in 1967. It has 21 registers, a mechanical action, and an electric register action. The church room has excellent acoustics. It makes the Bethlehemkirche ideal for concerts of all kinds.
The Bethlehemkirche has four bells. The Rincker company from Sinn cast them. Each bell bears the seal of the community. Each also has a Bible verse. Their tones are A’, H’, Cis, and E’. Together they form the beginning of the chorale “God of Heaven and Earth”. They are tuned to the bells of the Catholic St. Mauritius Church. Their chorale is “O Savior, tear open the heavens”.
The Bethlehemkirche holds community services on the first Sunday of each month. Family services and services for kindergarten children also occur then. High Christian holidays feature services in both churches.
The Bethlehemkirche and the community center focus on families. They especially work with the KiTa. They also host numerous cultural events for the community.
Opposite the Bethlehemkirche is the community center. It consists of three cubes with a large piazza. The architectural firm Hecker and Partner from Düsseldorf designed it in 2011 and 2012. It features a post-and-beam construction of wood and aluminum. Large windows dominate. The community received it on June 17, 2012.
Inside the community center, the “Treasure Chest” day care center is in the right wing. In the middle and left parts of the ground floor are the meeting rooms. The public community café “Leib und Seele” is at the front. The community office and the offices of the Diakonie Meerbusch are on the first floor.
So, as we conclude our visit to the Bethlehemkirche, consider the blend of art and faith. From the symbolic star to the harmonious bells, the Bethlehemkirche is a beacon in the community.