Envision Bonn after World War II. The city was healing and growing. Sankt Paulus emerged as Bonn’s first new church after the war in 1953. Sankt Paulus stands as a testament to renewal.
The church arose as the Tannenbusch area developed. Before homes filled the area, electors hunted birds here. As the community grew, it separated from St. Antonius in Dransdorf. Sankt Paulus became its own parish church.
Architect Stefan Leuer designed Sankt Paulus. He captured the spirit of the time in brick. The church features a simple hall design. A deep gable roof covers the structure. A long parish building connects to the church. The bell tower faces the street. This is similar to Leuer’s design for the Holy Spirit Church on Venusberg.
The facade of Sankt Paulus is simple. A large arched window dominates the gable. Two entrances punctuate the long sides of the nave.
Inside Sankt Paulus, the altar sits in a raised apse. This apse echoes the large arched window. Light streams in through rectangular windows. They sit just below the flat wooden ceiling. Grated openings filter more light. The cool white walls contrast with the warm wood. The wood graces the ceiling and pews.
Artist Ludwig Schaffrath created sgraffiti for Sankt Paulus. These scratchings depict the Evangelists. They adorn the base of the organ, once the pulpit. Schaffrath also designed the Stations of the Cross. These pieces sparked debate due to their abstract style. Yet they represent the artistic trends of the 1950s.
The interior design of Sankt Paulus follows a clear plan. Cologne sculptor Sepp Hürten crafted the altar from red sandstone. He also made the tabernacle stele and baptismal font. Hürten added a bronze altar cross and ambo. Aachen goldsmith Fritz Schwerdt created the gilded tabernacle. It glitters with mountain crystals. Dieter Seidel sculpted the Madonna in 1956.
Professor Wilhelm Rupprecht designed the west window. This colourful window depicts saints and scenes from Mary’s life. The unique arrangement of colours creates tension. It also allows ample light to enter. Rupprecht also designed windows for St. Joseph in Bonn-Castell. He also created the complete cycle for St. Josef in Beuel.
Sankt Paulus stands as more than bricks and mortar. It embodies the community’s spirit. It showcases post-war architectural and artistic styles. The church continues to serve as a place of worship. It serves as a landmark in Bonn’s history. It is a place of reflection and community for all.