Isn’t it remarkable how buildings can transform? The Herz-Jesu-Kirche stands before us. It has a captivating story of change and adaptation.
Herz-Jesu-Kirche was built in 1936. The well-known Cologne church architect Böhm designed the original structure. It featured a basilica style on a near-square layout. The brick exterior included a mighty integrated tower. A high, bright transept dominated the interior. Böhm himself designed a large stained-glass window wall for it. It was placed in front of the altar.
Initially, the parish of Herz-Jesu-Kirche grew significantly. By the early 1960s, the church needed more space. Architect W. Ganswindt extended the transept by two gable sections. However, the congregation later shrank rapidly.
A necessary deconstruction took place in 2007. Ulrich Tilgner oversaw this project. The extension and transept became the entrance hall for the adjacent St. Michael Caritas care center. A new entrance was created to access it. From the hall, you can enter the redesigned house and community chapel. This chapel is now located under the tower. Böhm’s preserved window wall separates both spaces.
Back then, the parish of Herz Jesu included about 1,500 Catholics. Its catchment area included parts of Neustadt. It also covered Huckelriede, Habenhausen, Gartenstadt-Süd, Buntentor, Kattenturm, Kattenesch, and Arsten.
The first groundbreaking for the care center’s replacement construction happened on September 12, 2007. It took place on the grounds between the Caritas Altenzentrum St. Michael and Herz-Jesu-Kirche. The new building connects the existing center. It links it with day care, assisted living, and a service center. This is achieved via a new care area with 76 places.
The foyer is a prominent symbol of the new care center. It is located in the former Herz-Jesu-Kirche on Kornstraße. A section of the church building was converted into a house and community chapel. Bishop Dr. F.-J. Bode consecrated the new building. He also consecrated the new altar in the Herz-Jesu-Kapelle on Friday, May 15, 2009. Artist Lang designed the altar, ambo, and tabernacle for the Herz-Jesu-Kapelle.
Through this special project in the pastoral area of St. Franziskus, the charitable idea and the church community come closer together.
Today, the Herz-Jesu-Kapelle offers services. Holy Mass is held on Saturdays at 5:00 PM and Thursdays at 3:30 PM. Herz-Jesu-Kirche is now part of the parish of St. Franziskus Bremen. St. Franziskus grew from four formerly independent parishes: Herz Jesu, St. Benedikt, St. Hildegard, and St. Pius.
The transformation of Herz-Jesu-Kirche demonstrates adaptability. It shows how a building can serve different community needs over time. From a growing parish church to a vital part of a care center, its story continues.