Resembling a fortress of faith, the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche stands before us. This Dortmund landmark anchors the Kreuzviertel. Let’s uncover its story.
The Kreuzviertel emerged as a residential area. It grew south of Dortmund’s historic ramparts in the early 20th century. Local Catholics yearned for their own church. They formed a church building association.
In 1911, the Heilig-Kreuz-Gemeinde was founded. It was an offshoot of the Liebfrauen-Gemeinde. Construction began in mid-1914. A church rose on a plot at Vinckeplatz. The First World War raged but progress continued. Within two years, the church was complete. Its style is Brick Expressionism. Dortmund architect Hans Homann designed it as a three-aisled basilica.
In 1919, the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche received its bells. The Bochumer Verein cast four steel bells. They chime in gis0, h0, d’, and e’. This is Dortmund’s second-lowest peal.
The Kreuzhof joined the parish in 1921. This building served multiple roles. It was a community center and a hostel for single men. Later, it became a hotel.
World War II inflicted heavy damage on the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche. Only the church tower remained standing. Reconstruction began in 1947. The interior was redesigned between 1957 and 1958.
Another redesign took place in 1992. It aligned with the original 1918 architecture. It also reflected the renewed liturgy. This followed the Second Vatican Council. Gisberth Hülsmann from Wachtberg was the architect. The cross near the altar features a 16th-century corpus. It likely originated from the Rhine-Maas region.
Today, the Hl. Kreuz Catholic daycare center is in the community center’s courtyard. It is named after the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche. The Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche is a listed building. It’s in Dortmund’s list of monuments.
The Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche’s organ has its own story. Anton Feith from Paderborn created the electro-pneumatic instrument in 1961. It has 30 registers, three manuals, and a pedal. Its free-pipe prospectus is distinctive. The 42 register rocker switches line up in a long row above the third manual. Push buttons control the pedal switch and tremulant. These are on the cheek blocks of the second and third manuals. A fire in the stairwell to the organ loft damaged the organ in 2022. The firm Westfälischer Orgelbau S. Sauer, descendants of the original builders, thoroughly cleaned the instrument in 2023.
Look closely at the main entrance. Notice the mosaic in the tympanum. It depicts a common medieval motif. Christ triumphs on the cross. To his sides stand Ecclesia and Synagoga. Ecclesia represents the church. She wears a splendid garment and offers Christ a chalice. Synagoga embodies Judaism. She is plainly dressed, blindfolded and holds a broken staff. The church now considers the underlying theology of this representation as antisemitic. This view of Jews as murderers of God was widespread in Christianity. The Second Vatican Council rejected it in 1965. The parish acknowledges the image is offensive on its website. It clarifies that it reflected widespread antisemitism in the early 20th century.
The Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche’s story reflects Dortmund’s history. It shows its resilience and evolving perspectives. Its stones stand as a testament to faith and community.