Sankt Maximilian Kolbe

Gazing up at the unique spiral tower of Sankt Maximilian Kolbe, one might mistake it for a modern art sculpture. But this striking concrete structure in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg holds a story far richer than its unusual exterior suggests. Sankt Maximilian Kolbe began its life in 1974 as a Roman Catholic parish church, named after the Polish saint and martyr. Its architect, Jo Filke, designed a building that became known as one of Hamburg’s most unusual post-war churches. The church’s polygonal design and spiraling tower, crafted from exposed concrete, made it a distinct landmark. The spiral form, emphasized by the concrete formwork joints, rises from a relatively low main hall, creating a dynamic and almost otherworldly feel. The cross atop the tower, a later addition in 1988, completed the unique silhouette of Sankt Maximilian Kolbe. The interior, designed to reflect the principles of the Second Vatican Council, featured an open seating arrangement around the altar, symbolizing active participation within the community. Light streamed in from a skylight in the tower, illuminating the baptismal font and chapel. The church even housed a Hillebrand organ with three manuals and 1700 pipes, filling the space with sacred music until its removal in 2015. Despite its architectural significance and status as a “characteristic example of 1970s church architecture,” Sankt Maximilian Kolbe faced a difficult future. By 2014, the building required extensive repairs to its roof and concrete facade, estimated at 400,000 euros. The parish could not afford this, making demolition seem inevitable. But Hamburg’s Denkmalschutzamt, recognizing its cultural value, advocated for an alternative solution. This led to a remarkable transformation. The church was deconsecrated in 2015 and handed over to the Malteser organization. They embarked on an ambitious project, converting Sankt Maximilian Kolbe into what is now the Malteser Campus. The former church space was redesigned, with a two-story “house within a house” built inside the original nave. The campus now serves as an inter-cultural center, offering services like care, housing, counseling, education, and community gathering spaces. This repurposing of Sankt Maximilian Kolbe, though a departure from its original purpose, has breathed new life into this architectural gem, preserving its unique presence in Hamburg’s landscape.