Isn’t it amazing how St. Nikolauskirche adapts to the times? This church stands as the oldest Catholic parish in Stuttgart’s east. Since 1896 St. Nikolauskirche has been a vibrant hub.
The church is currently undergoing renovations. The renovations cost 3.7 million euros. The city and diocese are contributing a large part. The community needs to raise 140000 euros through donations. Angela Schardt is the head of the St. Nikolaus community. She is happy that the church is being completely renovated. She says they will have a bright and friendly church. It will offer the community more opportunities to experience community.
Heating will come from a heat pump. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof. Sustainable renovation is important to everyone involved. The lighting will be replaced. A new sound system will be installed. Floors and walls will be renewed and cracks in the walls repaired. The community is happy about the new heating. They could not heat the church recently. In recent years they had to move services to the community hall after Christmas because the church was too cold.
St. Nikolauskirche will have a contemplative area and an active area. The contemplative area will be in the left side aisle. It will include a place of Marian devotion. It will feature a Madonna from 1480. It could not be displayed in recent years. A quiet oasis is planned in the entrance area. The baptismal font will be in the active part of the church. Saint Nicholas its patron saint will be there too. Father Laupheimer is looking forward to the first baptism in the renovated church.
The church will be adaptable due to flexible seating. There will be mobile church benches. Two people can easily move them. Chairs will also be used. The cross will not only stand in the altar area. Holders in the floor will allow it to be placed in other locations. After the renovation table tops can be hung on struts on the side walls. Youth workers can offer workshops there.
A media traverse for lighting is planned. Maximilian Magiera says that the new church will be state-of-the-art technically and medially. The new Stations of the Cross will consist only of words. Words like “Have no fear” and “Dignity is inviolable” will be on the floor.
The current sacristy will become a multifunctional room. It will have a small kitchenette and seating. The children’s church or smaller youth events can take place there. The community hopes to open up even more to the district. During the renovation Sunday services are in the community hall. Wednesday services are in the Heilig Geist Church.
St. Nikolauskirche is the oldest of the four eastern parishes. Construction began in 1895. Ulrich Pohlhammer was the architect. Bishop Paul Wilhelm von Keppler consecrated it in 1899. The church burned down during the war. It was rebuilt in its current form. The last renovation was in the 1970s. The parish belongs to the Stuttgart-Ost parish. It has around 10000 Catholics. The community welcomes support for the renovation of St. Nikolauskirche. The transformation of St. Nikolauskirche is a process. It invites everyone to participate.