Seven hundred and eighty seats. That’s how many souls this church Herz Marien can hold. Built in the post-war boom of Regensburg’s western district this architectural marvel wasn’t always here. The burgeoning population demanded a new parish center.
First came a kindergarten St Michael in 1959 a two-story building with staff apartments. Then came the concrete plans for the Herz Marien. A design competition decided the fate of the building. Helmut Wernhard a Regensburg government architect won. His design needed only minor changes.
The groundbreaking was on May 18 1962. The cornerstone was laid August 12 1963. The topping-out ceremony followed April 22. Finally Bishop Rudolf Graber consecrated Herz Marien November 3 1963. It became its own parish January 1 1964. Independent from its mother church Herz Jesu.
Herz Marien is nearly T-shaped. It’s built on different levels with two main axes. One a long main hall. The other a smaller transept for smaller services. Both meet at a seven-step altar island.
Eight massive prestressed concrete girders support the roof. They create an impressive column-free space 11 meters high. A baptismal chapel closes off the main hall on the west side. Below is the underchurch and community hall.
The free-standing bell tower stands 31.8 meters tall. It holds a three-meter high cross. The east side houses the parish center with its many rooms and sacristy. A double house for the rectory and staff apartments is to the south.
The church’s interior is simple. Whitewashed walls and wood ceilings create a warm atmosphere. Daylight streams through 80 concrete slats. An overhead light illuminates the altar. This sublime lighting highlights the golden cross and tabernacle.
The altar is square Kelheim limestone. This lets services face either axis. Originally a simple communion rail surrounded the altar island. A copy of the Madonna of Seeon sits under the organ loft. The original is in Munich’s Bavarian National Museum.
The stained glass in the baptismal chapel was completed in 1964. The entrance windows were created by A F Gangkofer. They depict the Heavenly Jerusalem. Technical problems forced their removal in 1969. They were replaced with temporary industrial glass. Graham Jones from London recreated them in 1996.
The organ on the angled loft is Opus 95 by Eduard Hirnschrodt. Built starting March 1967 it has electro-pneumatic cone chests and a movable console. Initially only 16 registers it was completed in 1973. Two more registers were added in 1991.
The four bells were cast by the nearby Hofweber bell foundry. They ring out a four-part C minor motif. Consecrated October 13 1963 bells three and four toll for Angelus.
Herz Marien stands as a testament to post-war growth. It’s a place of worship a community center a place of peace. A vibrant parish home to roughly 8000 Catholics. The largest in Regensburg.