Uncover St. Anna’s secret, a church in Frankfurt-Hausen, where modern design meets deep-rooted faith. This isn’t just another church. It’s a testament to a community’s resilience and vision.
St. Anna’s story began in 1897. Catholic Christians in Hausen founded a men’s club. Their goal was simple. They wanted their own parish. By 1901, they held their first Catholic service. In 1902, the Diocese of Limburg bought land. It was for a new church on Große Nelkenstraße. Architect Hans Rummel designed it. In 1905, a Romanesque basilica rose.
World War II devastated St. Anna. Architect Paul Göbbels rebuilt it. In 1952, St. Anna finally became its own parish. But by the 1960s, the old church was falling apart. The parish decided to build a new one in 1961.
Hermann Mackler and Alois Giefer were chosen as the architects. They built the new St. Anna further south. It stood on Am Hohen Weg. Construction finished in May 1968. This was after the Second Vatican Council. The altar was now central. It brought the priest and congregation closer. St. Anna embodied this new liturgy.
In 1990, architect Horst F. Meyer renovated the exterior walls. The renovation improved energy efficiency. In 1996, Ulrich Hahn redesigned the interior.
The future of St. Anna is now uncertain. Since May 2024, St. Marien Parish has been discussing an important topic. A church property strategy considers closing St. Anna and St. Elisabeth. High maintenance costs are a big concern. Church tax revenues are falling because fewer people are members.
St. Anna stands on the southeastern edge of Hausen’s historic center. It is surrounded by homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. The church sits on a large property. Trees surround the church. Next to it are a community center and kindergarten.
The church has a cruciform floor plan. It is a polygonal building. The central structure faces the four cardinal directions. Its four facade sides are identical. The one-story sacristy is an almost invisible exception. It is located in the back area of the property. The design reflects changes in church building since Vatican II. The altar is at the building’s center.
The church’s floor area measures about 30 meters. This is in both east-west and north-south directions. Facades feature angular outer walls. Tall glass surfaces mark the entrances. The copper-covered tent roof has a shallow slope. Green patina covers the copper surface. Originally, the closed outer walls were exposed concrete. In 1990, they were clad with light natural stone. This insulated them. Dark window surfaces provide contrast. The white concrete bell tower stands to the side. It is about 30 meters tall and topped with a simple cross.
Entering through the main portal on the east, you first find yourself in a vestibule. After a few steps, you enter the interior. The room’s center is emphasized. Blue stained glass windows and exposed brick walls create a special atmosphere. The freestanding altar is near the center. Five blocks of pews surround it in a semicircle. This emphasizes the central layout. The interior faces west. The altar area is raised by two steps. A cross against a light wall draws your eye. Horizontal bands divide the brick walls. Rows of perforated bricks are laid so that the holes are visible. Dark natural stone slabs cover the floor. The ceiling is covered with wood. It reveals the folds of the supporting structure. The organ is mounted on the wall in the entrance area. It separates the vestibule from the main room.
The large stained-glass windows consist of small, square panes. Different shades of blue and white glass create a captivating display. Georg Heck, a Frankfurt artist, created them. Light natural stone forms the altar block, ambo, sedilia, and baptismal font. The baptismal font in the southern part of the church is cylindrical. Artist Wilhelm Gieß created the rear altar wall as a triptych. It features gold leaf overlay. Franziska Lenz-Gerharz created both the Anna selbdritt wall relief and the Pietà.
Step inside St. Anna. Discover a place where art, faith, and community intertwine.