Did you know that the Kreuzkirche in Dortmund wasn’t always the stunning brick expressionist building we see today? Its story begins in the early 20th century. A new residential area the Kreuzviertel was booming south of Dortmund’s historic city walls. Catholic residents desired their own church. They formed a building society. The Heilig-Kreuz-Gemeinde was founded on May 3 1911 as an offshoot of the Liebfrauen-Gemeinde.
Construction of the Kreuzkirche began in 1914 on a plot at Vinckeplatz. Despite World War I the church was completed in just two years. Architect Hans Homann designed this beautiful three-aisled basilica. The building showcases a remarkable style backsteinexpressionismus. This unique style used brickwork in an expressive and artistic way. It was a style that perfectly suited the spirit of its time.
In 1919 the Kreuzkirche received a set of four cast-steel bells. These were made by Bochumer Verein. They are tuned to the tones gis0 h0 d’ e’. This makes them the second lowest-pitched set of bells in all of Dortmund. A real smart-aleck fact for you.
The church wasn’t untouched by World War II. It suffered severe damage. Only the tower survived intact. Rebuilding began in 1947. The interior was redesigned between 1957 and 1958. Another significant renovation happened in 1992. It was a return to the original 1918 architecture. It also incorporated the renewed liturgy from the Second Vatican Council. The architect for this work was Gisberth Hülsmann.
Notice the striking crucifix near the altar. It features a 16th-century corpus probably from the Rhine-Meuse region. A testament to the church’s rich history and the lasting impact of its past. The Kreuzkirche’s story is one of resilience and adaptation. It stands as a symbol of faith community and architectural achievement in Dortmund. Its history is interwoven with the fabric of this city. It’s a place of worship and a reminder of history’s passage.