Imagine a church born not of triumph but necessity. This is the story of St. Maria Hilfe der Christen. It stands in Dusseldorf-Lörick.
St. Maria Hilfe der Christen is more than bricks and mortar. It embodies the community’s resilience after the Second World War. The parish of St. Maria Hilfe der Christen emerged as the fifth parish. It was formed from the Heerdter parish of St. Benedikt.
Now look at the church. Construction took place from 1952 to 1953. Heinz Thoma was the leading architect. Consecration occurred on May 22, 1955. A planned free-standing bell tower was omitted due to cost.
Originally, Pius X was considered as the patron saint. However the canonization process was still ongoing. So the Marian patronage Hilfe der Christen was chosen. This translates to “Mary, Help of Christians.”
Notice the structure. It’s a steel skeleton construction. Red clinker bricks clad the exterior. St. Maria Hilfe der Christen appears three-aisled. Yet it is designed as a hall church. This effect comes from a vault in the apparent central nave. Columns visually separate the side areas. They appear as side aisles.
The chancel receives ample light. This is due to larger windows. It sits behind the altar area. Steps separate the altar and chancel from the community space. The chancel is taller than the rest. Its width matches the supposed central nave.
Now think about the sound within these walls. The organ was built in 1959. Kreienbrink from Georgsmarienhütte constructed it. This cone chest instrument boasts 32 stops. These are distributed across three manuals and pedals. The playing and register actions are electro-pneumatic.
Close to the St. Maria Hilfe der Christen you will find a family center. The Catholic Church of St. Antonius and Benediktus Dusseldorf is the sponsor. Religious education is integral to the facility’s pedagogical approach.
Consider this. The church is accessible by subway lines 75, 76 and 77. The stop is Barbarossaplatz. A public parking garage is also nearby.
St. Maria Hilfe der Christen stands as a testament. It shows faith and community spirit can flourish. They can flourish even amid hardship. It is a place of worship and a center for community. It welcomes all.