Reflect for a moment on the journey of faith. It led to the creation of this very church, Heilig Geist.
Heilig Geist is the Catholic Church in Bothfeld. Bothfeld is a district of Hanover in Lower Saxony. This church is more than just a building. It is a focal point for the Catholic community here.
Following World War II, many Catholic refugees settled in Bothfeld. Until then they had to attend services in a school barrack. Later they met in the hall of the Stöckmann restaurant.
In 1952, the first Heilig Geist church was built. Bishop Joseph Godehard Machens blessed it in September of that year. The church was on the corner of Burgwedeler Straße and Kurze-Kamp-Straße. That’s about 150 meters from where we are standing now. It was a simple building with about 120 seats.
By the late 1950s, that first church became too small. In 1962, construction began on the present-day Heilig Geist. The foundation stone was laid in August 1962. On December 7, 1963, Bishop Heinrich Maria Janssen consecrated the new church. Soon after, they demolished the first church.
The architect Hodler from Hanover designed Heilig Geist. Ludwig Schaffrath designed the windows in 1963. In the 1970s, Claus Kilian and Hein Wimmer contributed to the altar area’s artistic design. Kilian designed the altar. Wimmer created the tabernacle and hanging cross. The Gebrüder Hillebrand Orgelbau company built the organ in 1972.
Heilig Geist is not just a single church. Since 2010, other churches have joined the parish. These include St. Bruder Konrad and St. Franziskus.
Today, Heilig Geist continues to be a vibrant parish. The parish offers services, a library, and a kindergarten. The church is a testament to faith and community. It has grown and evolved to meet the needs of its members.
The church’s address is Niggemannweg 18. The phone number is 0511-65 21 01. The parish office is open several days a week. You can find more information on their website. The address is www.heilig-geist-hannover.de.
Take a moment to appreciate the architecture and the art. Remember the history and the people who built this church. Heilig Geist stands as a beacon of faith and community. It enriches the lives of those who gather here.