Celebrating its unique story, St. Franziskus stands as more than just a church. It embodies faith and community in Chemnitz. This Roman Catholic church, found in the Hutholz district, is special. It is one of the few churches newly built in the former East Germany.
St. Franziskus emerged from necessity. In 1971, a large residential area arose south of Karl-Marx-Stadt now Chemnitz. This new area was far from the city center and existing churches. To serve the growing Catholic population, the parish vicariate of St. Franziskus was founded. This happened on January 1, 1979. Heinrich Bohaboj became the first parish vicar. Initially, the community used the Bonhoeffer community’s Protestant center in Helbersdorf.
Real church construction began between 1979 and 1981. The BMK construction company handled the project. The financing came from a special agreement. This agreement involved the East German government and the Catholic Church in West Germany. The Bonifatiuswerk Paderborn paid for the church in West German currency.
The cornerstone was laid on October 23, 1981. The architectural design came from Manfred Fasold at the Bauakademie der DDR. The topping-out ceremony occurred on June 4, 1982. Bishop Gerhard Schaffran consecrated St. Franziskus on October 2, 1983. It became an independent parish then.
In an interesting turn, the Diocese of Dresden-Meissen sold St. Franziskus in 2014. The buyer was the Koinonia Johannes der Täufer. This community of celibate men and women established their oasis there. The church continues to serve the parish community too.
The architecture of St. Franziskus is noteworthy. The parish house, community hall, and church surround a courtyard. The church’s floor plan is irregular. It features a combination of four different-sized rectangles. A tower with a cross marks the building as a sacred space. The building’s varying heights create an urban focal point. Zinc covers the flat roof. The facades show materials typical of the construction period. These include brick, steel, and concrete.
Inside, the space rises toward the altar. Light streams in through three skylights. The ceiling’s support structure is visible. The wall behind the altar draws focus. Werner Juza drew inspiration from the “Canticle of the Sun” by St. Francis. The artwork represents thanks and praise for creation. The cross, tabernacle, and altar symbolize redemption.
A large circle, representing the sun, dominates the artwork. It uses strong reds. Curves radiate from the sun like rays. They display movement through soft colors. These colors transition from light blue and ocher to rosewood and earth brown. Gertraud Mihatsch created the stele showing Francis in nature. It stands on the outside wall. The community acquired a wooden Madonna statue from Bohemia in 1983. They had it restored. It is now behind a concrete wall.
The Jehmlich Dresden company built the church organ. It was originally made for the Dresdener Hofkirche in 1959. The Silbermann organ returned there in 1960. The Jehmlich organ found a new home in St. Franziskus in 1998.
Since April 22, 2018, St. Franziskus is part of the Parish of the Holy Mother Teresa. Several other churches belong to this parish too.
St. Franziskus stands as a testament to faith and architectural innovation. Its history reflects community spirit. Its art celebrates creation. It is a unique place in Chemnitz.