Pfarrkirche zum heiligen Kreuz

The Pfarrkirche zum heiligen Kreuz, or Holy Cross Church, stands before you like a concrete flame in the middle of Dusseldorf. What a remarkable sight! Built between 1956 and 1958, it is a testament to the architectural vision of Josef Lehmbrock. Standing on the site of several earlier churches, the Holy Cross Church rises like a phoenix from the ashes. The original foundation stone, laid in 1940 for a temporary church, exists within the structure’s crypt. It was destroyed in 1943, but the spirit of faith has remained strong and visible, even in the face of great adversity. This particular area of Dusseldorf, known as Rath, showcases the church’s undeniable prominence, being a beacon of beauty and religious belief. Its unique “flaming” exterior, designed by Professor Günter Grote of the Dusseldorf Art Academy, is undeniably captivating. It earned the folksy name for this church: “The Flame Church.” This daring design feature has been imitated in a wide range of locations, showing how the church stands at the heart of a powerful artistic movement. You can see the fiery facade, made from a double shell of concrete panels, at almost every angle here. The flames of faith seem to rise up to heaven, a visual testament to the strength and resilience of the Catholic Church in postwar Germany. The interior holds a special ambiance, filled with the echo of devotion and prayer. The cruciform altar, a dominant feature of the interior, rests on a raised platform, the focal point of the church. The floor slopes gently towards its position symbolizing an approach towards the Divine. This particular design, characteristic of Josef Lehmbrock, with its open, rod-like ceiling, is also found in St. Albertus Magnus Church in Leverkusen, built around the same time. The altar, a solid cast-iron tabernacle created by the Schwietzke firm, and the lectern cross, each designed by Grote, are testaments to the artistic excellence in the postwar years. The Stations of the Cross present unique and moving imagery – originally created by sculptor Kurt Zimmermann for the church St. Suitbertus in Kaiserswerth. The Church’s remarkable resilience and dedication to faith shines through its unique and daring design, a symbol of hope and spiritual renewal in Germany.