A steel and glass cross rises twenty-seven meters into the sky. It marks the \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum. This cross once stood in the Christus-Pavillon during Expo 2000. Now, it serves as a landmark for the Mühlenberg district.
The \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum Mühlenberg is more than just a building. It embodies a spirit of unity. Completed in 1981 and 1982, this center houses two congregations. The Lutheran Bonhoeffer-Gemeinde and the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe share this space.
Before this building existed, the congregations met in a simple barrack on Beckstraße. This temporary space served its purpose until the new complex was built. The history of the \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum is linked to the development of the Hannover-Mühlenberg district.
Planning and construction were collaborative. The Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Hanover worked with the Catholic Diocese of Hildesheim. Together, they created a space for shared worship and community.
Inside the \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum, about ten common rooms and conference rooms are shared by both congregations. The Catholic Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe is quite large. It includes Mühlenberg, Wettbergen and Ronnenberg, except for Benthe. Almost 6,900 members belong to this parish. Around 400 worshipers attend Sunday Mass weekly.
The Catholic church space is traditionally designed. It is larger than the Evangelical church space. The Pater-Delp-Saal allows for expansion. The Stations of the Cross connect Christ’s suffering with that of Pater Kolbe.
The Evangelical Lutheran Bonhoeffer-Gemeinde includes Mühlenberg and Bornum. Since 2000, the Petrus- and Paulus-Gemeinde in Bornum has been part of the Bonhoeffer-Gemeinde. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s name reminds people of the nearby concentration camp. It honors Christian resistance against the Nazi regime.
In 2013, a film documented Henry Korman’s life. He was a Holocaust survivor and former prisoner at the Hanover-Mühlenberg concentration camp. The \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum served as a location for this project.
Today, the \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum continues its mission. It is a place where different faiths come together. This center stands as a symbol of cooperation in a diverse community. The \u00d6kumenisches Kirchencentrum welcomes all. Its doors are open for worship, reflection, and community engagement.