“Striking isn’t it?” The Heilig Kreuz Kirche stands here in Knielingen. It is more than just a house of worship. It is a testament to faith. It is also a landmark shaped by history and art.
Let’s step back in time. Knielingen Catholics once belonged to the parish of St. Peter and Paul in Mühlburg. As the community grew, they needed their own space. In 1922, a temporary church was set up in the “Zum Hirschen” inn. But this was only a temporary solution.
In 1958, the decision was made to build a new church. An architectural competition was held. Otto Hess and Werner Groh were invited to submit designs. Groh’s design won. Construction began in 1959. By March 12, 1961, the Heilig Kreuz Kirche was consecrated.
Werner Groh’s design features a strict church space. It evokes early Christian basilicas. The half-round apse extends seamlessly from the ship. This unique design makes it a cultural landmark.
The interior is just as remarkable. Emil Wachter, a Karlsruhe artist, created the wall design in the choir. It depicts the twelve gates of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Wachter also designed the windows. The windows show many scenes from the bible.
Look closely at the sandstone exterior. In the early 2000s, the church was renovated. The sandstone absorbed water. To improve insulation, the entire church was encased in the same sandstone. This ensured the original appearance remained.
Inside, the 2004 renovation brought changes. The walls were cleaned and the heating was updated. The altar and pews were replaced. A mobile altar and chairs were added. The baptismal font was moved between the main and side aisles.
In 2016, the roof underwent repairs. The warped roof structure was reinforced. A new insulated metal roof was installed. Inside, a lighter ceiling was added. LED spotlights replaced the old lighting.
Don’t miss the side chapel. The window frieze displays Old Testament scenes by Emil Wachter. The stone near the baptismal font comes from Lorsch Monastery. It marks Knielingen’s first mention in a Lorsch document from 786.
The altar area features a simple sandstone altar. The ambo shows the Parable of the Sower. A hanging cross, designed by Paul König, hangs above the altar. The parish takes pride in the processional cross in the side chapel. Herbert Kämper crafted it from copper and silver. Three smokey topazes adorn the cross. A relic of the cross is in the lower part of the longitudinal beam.
The Heilig Kreuz Kirche’s address is Reinmuthstraße 42. It is the heart of the parish of the Holy Cross. It belongs to the Catholic Church Community of Karlsruhe Allerheiligen. The church is dedicated to the “Elevation of the Holy Cross”. The Church Patronage Festival is on September 14. Saint Sebastian and Saint Martyr Nazarius are secondary patrons.
The Heilig Kreuz Kirche is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a place of community. It’s a work of art. It is a piece of Knielingen’s soul. It links the past to the present. It invites reflection and reverence.