Can you hear the echoes of history whispering around the Mutterhauskirche? This Roman Catholic church stands as a testament to faith. It also stands as a symbol of resilience in Freiburg im Breisgau’s Neuburg district. Its name comes from the Sisters of the Order of the Merciful Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. They are also called Vinzentinerinnen. This church is next to the sisters’ motherhouse. That is why it is also called Mutterhauskirche. It is dedicated to the memory of the Sorrowful Mother of God.
Imagine Freiburg during World War II. The original church built in 1861 and dedicated to Saint Joseph was completely destroyed in a bombing on November 27, 1944. The community was undeterred. The present-day Mutterhauskirche rose from those ashes.
The new church was consecrated on April 11, 1957. Archbishop Eugen Seiterich officiated. Architect Reinhard Fuchs designed it. The Mutterhauskirche is not just a building. It represents a fresh start after terrible destruction.
Notice the architecture. The Mutterhauskirche is an octagonal central building. It features a flat dome. Its skeleton is made of reinforced concrete. This is infilled with unplastered clinker bricks both outside and inside. Did you spot the absence of a traditional church tower? Instead, a flat extension marks the eastern main entrance. A covered passage connects it to the motherhouse. On the opposite side of the octagon, a spacious apse houses the altar. Since 2014, the church has been a listed cultural monument.
Now, turn your gaze to the altar area. A cross shows the five wounds of Christ. A Pietà is made in mosaic on the clinker wall. The large stained glass window above the eastern entrance is striking. It was created by the Basel artist Hans Stocker. He also designed the narrow band of windows that encircles the interior beneath the dome. This design evenly lights the space.
Have you noticed where the organ is? To avoid covering the large stained glass artwork over the entrance, the Fischer & Krämer organ isn’t in the center. Instead, it is on the side on the broad gallery. Built in 1986, it has 30 stops on two manuals and pedals. The organ was inaugurated on November 29, 1986. Professor Ludwig Doerr played works by Georg Böhm and Johann Sebastian Bach. He also played Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and an improvisation of the organist.
The Mutterhauskirche stands as a symbol of faith. It also embodies artistic vision and architectural ingenuity. It invites all to reflect on history, art, and spirituality. It is a place where the past and present meet. It is where the community finds solace and inspiration.