Remember those childhood connect-the-dots games? Now, think of a church that connects faith, art and community. That is the Holy Cross Church. This Catholic church resides in Frankfurt’s Bornheim district. Its design is similar to the Frauenfriedenskirche. Both churches stand as testaments to architectural ingenuity.
Martin Weber designed the Holy Cross Church. Construction spanned from 1928 to 1929. The church sits on a rise known as Bornheimer Hang. The Holy Cross Church is an unusual example of interwar modernism. It exemplifies sacred Bauhaus architecture.
The church’s story is quite interesting. It officially opened on August 25 1929. The Catholic congregation of Bornheim celebrated. However, the Second World War brought damage. Post-war donations aided the rebuilding. Today, it is a branch church of St. Josef parish. It falls under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Limburg.
Since August 1 2007, the church has a new purpose. The diocese dedicated it as a Holy Cross Center. It is now a hub for Christian Meditation and Spirituality. Until July 2018, Helmut Schlegel OFM directed the center. He continued as a meditation leader until June 2019. Since November 2018, Samuel Stricker leads the center. He collaborates with a team. Contributors include members of the Medical Mission Sisters.
But there is more. Since May 7 2011, something special happened. St. Leonhard’s International English-Speaking Catholic Parish uses this space. This arrangement started during the restoration of St. Leonhard. The Holy Cross Church remains their home, even after the work concludes.
Looking back, the Holy Cross Church has unique origins. Martin Weber, a master church builder, placed it at Bornheimer Hang’s edge. Weber also designed St. Bonifatius and Holy Spirit churches. The Wittelsbacher Allee community center never materialized. So the church found its place there. It became Bornheim’s second Catholic church. Initially, it was an extension of St. Josef parish.
A competition decided the design. On August 3 1927, Martin Weber’s “slope crown” design won. He envisioned the church crowning Bornheimer Hang. Construction began on February 19 1928. Bishop Ludwig Maria Hugo inaugurated the church on August 25 1929. The name echoes Frankfurt’s medieval history. Several locations honored the Holy Cross then.
During World War II, the church faced challenges. Nazis suppressed the parish. Bombers used its location for navigation. On October 4 1943, an attack damaged the west side. Later, incendiary bombs struck. Services moved to the heating plant room.
Post-war, reconstruction began. In 1950, Holy Cross became its own parish. The interior was restored. Lorenz Matheis created new stained-glass windows. In 1992, the interior regained its original checkerboard pattern.
Since 2007, the Holy Cross Church serves as a meditation center. The Diocese of Limburg made this decision. The church offers services. These include meditation courses and spiritual exercises. Its doors are open to all faiths.
Notice the building’s features. It has flat saddle roofs. A steel skeleton supports it. The nave runs north-south. The altar sits on the north side. Originally, the interior had a red-pink checkered pattern. Large letters adorned the windows. They displayed a German translation of the Latin hymn Vexilla Regis. The tower crosses stand in a 1:4 ratio. This is a signature of Weber’s design.
Before you leave, note the Camino de Santiago. It passes near the church. This route connects to the tomb of St. James. The Holy Cross Church is more than bricks and mortar. It is a beacon of faith, history and art.