Wonder how St. Bernhard in Mainz-Bretzenheim got its name? It is a tribute to Bernhard of Clairvaux. He stood against calls to kill Jews in Mainz in 1146.
St. Bernhard is part of the Zaybachtal parish group. This group includes St. Achatius, St. Georg and St. Stephan. The parish is relatively young. Its story began in 1973 with a community center. Bretzenheim’s Catholic population grew quickly. The architectural firm Grüneberg und Partner was hired to design a church. Before that, a small chapel was sufficient.
The architects designed a hall church. It has one nave. The facade is set back. Instead of a church tower, there is a roof turret. The Diocese of Mainz no longer supported church towers at that time. The architects used the baptistery cleverly. It combines with the columns of the vestibule. This creates an element of facade articulation. Inside, the walls are exposed concrete. The outside of the church is bright clinker. The architecture was inspired by Romanesque churches. Bishop Karl Lehmann consecrated St. Bernhard on October 10, 1992.
The parish is partnered with St. Bernard in Mainz’s twin city, Dijon. St. Bernard in Dijon was dedicated in 1959. The patronage of St. Bernhard connects to local history. The Cistercian monastery “Maria Dalen” had lordship over Bretzenheim. This lasted from the 13th century to the French Revolution.
The community center was built in 1976 and 1977. It was consecrated in 1978. It included a chapel. The chapel was meant to be a side aisle. Later, a church was to be built in the same style. In 1985, the decision was made to build a separate church. It would also differ stylistically. The architectural firm Grüneberg und Partner planned the church. After seven years of planning and construction, the church was consecrated. Its external appearance is simple. It reflects the architectural style of the Cistercians.
The bright clinker evokes Romanesque churches. A stone from St. Bernhard’s birthplace is in the facade. It comes from Fontaine-les-Dijon. An open plaza is separated from the street by trees. It is a meeting place before and after services. It connects to the community center’s plaza. Together, they form “Place Saint Bernard”. This refers to Bernhard’s stay in Mainz.
The St. Bernhard church has three bells. They are dedicated to St. Elizabeth, the Virgin Mary, and St. Edith Stein.
Inside St. Bernhard, the baptismal chapel is significant. Its glass construction connects to the vestibule’s columns. This forms a facade element. The chapel is an octagon. This symbolizes perfection. The baptismal font is a basalt monolith. Water flows into an onyx bowl. A bronze portal shows scenes from St. Bernhard’s life.
The nave is almost square. The floor is made of yellowish Jura limestone slabs. The walls retain their concrete structure. The open roof truss has colored beams. The colors red and green are repeated in the pews. Double crosses decorate the walls. The windows have simple glazing. Twelve crosses with apostle candlesticks adorn the walls.
Two icons hang in the northwestern corner. They are “Christ the Ruler” and “Mother of God Mary”. They were gifted by the Macedonian Orthodox community. The painting “Resurrection” hangs on the west wall.
The church features a valuable organ. It was built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It is the only original Cavaillé-Coll organ in Germany. Completed around 1890, it was first privately owned. From 1951, it was in a church in Paris. In 1999, St. Bernhard acquired the organ.
The altar is bronze. Its panels depict scenes from the Book of Revelation. Seven candlesticks surround the altar. They represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. Relics of faith witnesses are embedded in the altar.
A meditation room is on the north side of the church. Its floor features a labyrinth. This symbolizes the search for the right path. St. Bernhard church allows for rich liturgy. It also provides space for personal devotion. Its symbolism offers opportunities for meditation.