Decades ago, the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth was alive with hymns. Now, it stands as a testament to Freiburg’s evolving story. Today, we explore the intriguing transformation of the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth.
The Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth began its life as a Catholic church in Freiburg’s Brühl district. After the congregation merged with St. Konrad in 1997 the church was no longer needed. It was deconsecrated on October 1 2006. The Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth then stood empty for years.
Several attempts were made to find a new purpose for the building. One plan envisioned the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth as a home for the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Unfortunately, this fell through due to costs. The future of this cultural monument remained uncertain.
An Immobilienfirma eventually decided to convert the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth into apartments. The architectural design by Disse was largely preserved. The portal with its stained glass window remains. The authorities even ensured that no gambling halls or short-term rentals could occupy the space.
The external walls of the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth were largely maintained. The west facade with its entrance portal is complete. The east facade is almost entirely original. Larger sections were removed from the concrete sides on the north and south. Two stories were added to the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth. The conversion project was named Church-Chill.
Apartments in the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth went on sale in January 2013. The first residents moved in during the summer of 2015. Some apartments still feature elements of the former church.
In 2014, the 22-meter-high bell tower was purchased by a designer. She worked with monument conservation authorities to convert it. Rainer Disse from Karlsruhe designed the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth in 1965. The building was a cube with a flat roof and a free-standing tower. The parish house was behind the church. The building is made of exposed concrete. The main entrance with its large cast-iron portals is on the west side. These portals are by Franz Gutmann.
Inside, four concrete pillars support the coffered ceiling. A band of skylights illuminated the interior. The interior design was symmetrical. Steps subtly separated the choir. Rainer Disse also created the main altar. It is a monolithic stone block that was visible from anywhere in the church. Emil Wachter designed the stained-glass windows in the sacramental chapel. He also designed the baptismal window and the west window. Peter Gautel created the tabernacle and the eternal light. Franz Gutmann also designed the Stations of the Cross and the chandeliers.
The preserved confessionals stand out. They are flush with the interior wall. They project from the outer wall and articulate the northern facade. The organ had 20 registers and 1404 pipes. Mönch Orgelbau built it in 1976. It stood on the gallery above the entrance. In 2008, it was moved to St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sprendlingen.
Since the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth was deconsecrated the bell was no longer needed. The 600 kg Cecilia bell was removed by crane on August 5 2014. It could not be taken down through the tower. It now rings in Tanzania, replacing an old car rim. Lothar Kuhnimhof initiated this action. He is the chairman of the deanery council in Neustadt. The bell was exhibited in Mannheim’s Jesuit Church until Christmas 2014. This was to collect donations for its eight-week transport.
Today, the Ehemalige Kirche St. Elisabeth stands as a unique blend of history and modern living. It serves as a reminder that even the most sacred spaces can evolve. They can adapt to the changing needs of a community, while still retaining echoes of their past.