Perhaps you’ve noticed this unique building. This is the Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus. The Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus has a fascinating story. It reflects the growth of Trier and its university.
The Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus story begins in the 1960s. The city of Trier expanded onto the Kürenz mountain. This created a need for more housing. Since 1965, church services occurred in the French military hospital chapel. The hospital is now Campus II of the university.
In February 1968, St. Bonifatius decided to build a temporary church. It was made of prefabricated parts. From October 1968 to January 1969, they built it on Weidengraben. This area was called “New Kürenz.” The church was blessed on January 19, 1969. The community became a parish on December 20, 1969.
The university’s construction started in 1974. People soon realized the Notkirche’s location was not ideal. The location on Weidengraben was unfavorable. A new building site was purchased. It was at the intersection of the university and the new city center. In August 1979, the church board decided to build a new community center.
Ulrich Craemer, a diocesan architect, designed the building. The Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus is a rather intricate structure. Community rooms connect to the hexagonal church space on two sides. Construction began in October 1981. The cornerstone was laid on June 6, 1982. The dedication took place on October 23, 1983. Since 2012, St. Augustinus belongs to the new parish of Edith Stein. The parish headquarters are also here.
Two bells hang in a small tower. They are on the back of the community center. The Eifel bell foundry Mark in Brockscheid cast them in 1984. They ring in fis” and a”.
The Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008. The parish of St. Augustinus was founded in 1968. This happened after Trier University was re-established. New residential areas sprung up around the university since the 1970s. Christians lived in these new areas. This led to the founding of the parish.
Initially, a “Notkirche” served as a place of worship. It stood beside the kindergarten “Am Weidengraben.” The new Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus and the Gemeindezentrum “Im Treff” opened on October 23, 1983. Since then, the pastor’s office has been here.
Today, the church is no longer in the community’s center. New housing developments on Petrisberg and near Filsch have expanded the parish.
Inside the Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus, you’ll find a Rapp organ. The Orgelbauwerkstatt Harald Rapp built it in 1993. The organ has a solid oak case. It features 19 registers and a Rossignol. It also includes mechanical playing actions and register actions.
The Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus stands as a testament to faith. It shows how communities grow and adapt. Its history is intertwined with the university and the city of Trier. As you leave, remember the Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustinus. It is more than just a building. It is a living part of Trier’s story.