Built in the years 1911 to 1912 St Michael in Dusseldorf-Lierenfeld stands as a testament to changing times. Its story is one of expansion and contraction a reflection of the community it serves. Architect P Milles designed the original church in a Neubaroque style of brick architecture. The nearby Mannesmann steelworks a giant in its day swelled the parish to over 10000 members. The church was significantly expanded in 1956 after damage in World War II. Architect Kurt Schweflinghaus oversaw the renovation stripping away the Neubaroque elements and completely redesigning the building. The tower lost its Baroque cupola and was raised several meters.
But times changed. The steelworks closed and the congregation dwindled. By 2000 the oversized building needed extensive repairs. Demolition was even considered. However the Cologne Archdiocese fought to preserve St Michael. A compromise was reached. Parts of the building were demolished. The nave was sacrificed in the years 2004 to 2007. Two-thirds of the church’s structure was removed. A portion of the old exterior wall now forms a wall around the atrium-like entrance courtyard. The church you see today is a result of this complex history. It reflects the ebb and flow of a community a testament to resilience and adaptation.
The organ a Weimbs Orgelbau Opus 148 from 1980. It boasts 25 registers across three manuals with the first serving as a coupling manual. This organ’s music fills the newly configured space. It echoes the stories of those who worshiped here. The music creates an atmosphere of peace and reflection. It’s a vibrant continuation of the church’s rich legacy. St Michael’s story is one of faith. It shows the enduring power of community in the face of change.