Behold this church. St. Franziskus may be liked, loved, or even disliked like many modern churches. Yet, this youngest church in the Christus König parish is spectacular. The parish includes Christus König in Haste and Heilig Geist am Sonnenhügel.
Rudolf Schwarz and his wife Maria designed St. Franziskus. Rudolf died suddenly. Maria continued the work. The church was consecrated on August 22, 1965.
Rudolf Schwarz wrote about celebrating the Lord’s Supper. He said a small space is needed. In its center should be a table. On it, a bowl with bread and a chalice with wine. The table can be decorated with candles. Seats for the community can surround it. Schwarz believed table, space, and walls form a simple church.
Bare brick and concrete walls form this church. Three rising light courts break them up. They are over the altar, the baptistery, and the original place of worship.
The new Dodesheide district already had high-rise buildings. The new church should not compete with an even taller tower. Instead, St. Franziskus nestles into the settlement. It is like an old monastery or a farmstead. School, day care center, youth center and senior center surround it.
St. Franziskus is built as an image of the Holy City. The Book of Revelation speaks of it. “God will dwell in their midst.” What that looks like remains hidden. God always remains hidden and cannot be depicted.
St. Franziskus lives from this tension. It is a barren space that is open. It is open for what happens within it. The celebration of the liturgy and the gathering of believers helps one to encounter God. Strengthened by Him, one can live as a Christian in everyday life.
Every Saturday at 5 p.m. the parish celebrates the Evening Mass. The great services on the three Easter days and at Christmas also take place here. First Communion and Confirmation are also celebrated in St. Franziskus.
Visit St. Franziskus at Bassumer Straße 38. Call 0541 9629350 for more information. Or visit christus-koenig-os.de.