Transformed from a place of worship to a community hub the Begegnungszentrum Deusenkirche stands as a testament to the power of local initiative. In 2004, the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Dortmund planned to abandon its Deusen location for financial reasons. But the community wouldn’t let their church fade away.
Citizens formed an initiative. They established the Förderverein Begegnungszentrum Deusen. Their goal was to preserve the church as a social and cultural center. They called themselves “Wir lassen die Kirche im Dorf e.V.” which means “We’re keeping the church in the village”.
For the symbolic price of one euro the association acquired the Evangelische Gustav-Adolf-Kirche. In 2006 they launched an architectural competition. Andreas Hanke a Dortmund architect won. His design included a culture and event space plus a restaurant.
Over 120 volunteers contributed more than 12000 hours of work. They also secured donations from local tradespeople. The church gained a new building with a restaurant. It opened in 2011. The church was not deconsecrated. Services still take place there.
In 2013 the DeusenKirche e. V. association opened another new building. It was a youth center for local youth work. Today the Begegnungszentrum Deusenkirche is rented by companies clubs and individuals. The community continues to hold services.
The transformation of the church is an example for others. The church presents itself with a small octagonal tower. Two single-story wings with side entrances join the single-nave church. The church is white. A dark red new building with a restaurant complements the ensemble. It creates a small courtyard.
The city district of Deusen has fewer than 2000 inhabitants. The church tower is a landmark. After the closure of the post office and bank the Evangelical Church planned to withdraw from the district in 2004. A citizens’ association formed. It wanted to preserve the church as a social and cultural place.
A steering group developed a construction and usage concept. The association bought the building. They took over the land in leasehold. The results of the competition were implemented with considerable self-performance. The church was not deconsecrated so services could still take place. A gastronomic use created cross-financing. A separate youth center followed two years later.
The Begegnungszentrum Deusenkirche is now a Begegnungszentrum for the district. It is also a sacred space. A great deal of voluntary work and creative fundraising has been done. A gastronomic extension enabled cross-financing for long-term operation. The building costs were 950000 euros. Funding totaled 470000 euros. The association raised 480000 euros through donations and self-help.
Ulrich Küpper is your contact person under deusenkirche@dokom.de. The website is http://www.deusenkirche.de. The address is Deusener Straße 215 in Dortmund.
The Förderverein Begegnungszentrum Deusen “Wir lassen die Kirche im Dorf” e.V. operates the Begegnungszentrum Deusenkirche. The Begegnungszentrum Deusenkirche contributes to stabilizing the district’s infrastructure. It also aids the development of the regional Emscher Landscape Park.