Before you stands the Christi Auferstehung Kirche a modern marvel in Bonn. Its sleek lines and simple design belie a rich history. Built in the 1960s Röttgen needed a new parish church. The small Venantiuskapelle couldn’t accommodate the growing congregation. Bonn’s rapid growth after becoming the provisional capital fueled this need.
The Christi Auferstehung Kirche isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to faith and community. Its design reflects the era a post-war modernism. The church is strikingly simple. Its brickwork is modern. The interior is striking too. It boasts a unique design. The church features a high platform for the altar and ambo. This allows for optimal viewing from every seat. There are no supporting pillars. The ceiling is a masterpiece. Sixteen pyramidal cubes form its structure. This is what keeps the building pillar-free.
But there is more to the Christi Auferstehung Kirche. It beautifully blends the old and new. The church features a 24-meter-high freestanding bell tower. It’s clad in greywacke and tiles. This makes it look even taller than it is. The tower is crowned by four angels. They are playing trumpets. The angels are creations of Elmar Hillebrand. He also created the Stations of the Cross reliefs inside. These adorn the church’s interior since 1987.
Inside you’ll find treasures. An old wayside cross from the Kottenforst forest stands on the forecourt. There is a Corpus Christi from around 1420. It’s in the entrance area. The Mother of God sculpture is near the small Marian altar. It dates from around 1380. A stunning octagonal bronze crown holds an 18th-century baroque ivory crucifix. These historic pieces are striking alongside the modern architecture.
The church’s consecration was a momentous occasion. It was on August 29 1971. A new Klais organ was installed at the same time. It boasts 22 registers. Relics of Cologne martyrs and St Hermann-Josef from Steinfeld were placed in the altar’s grave. The Christi Auferstehung Kirche is more than just a place of worship. It’s a living testament to faith. It bridges the past and the present. It’s a place where history and modernity intertwine. It deserves your awe and contemplation.