What stories do these red bricks hold? This is St. Bruno in Dusseldorf. It stands as a testament to faith and architectural evolution. Let’s delve into the history of this remarkable church.
St. Bruno’s story began in 1905. A temporary church dedicated to St. Antonius was erected on Kalkumer Strasse. This met the needs of a growing community. In 1919, the parish of St. Bruno was officially established. The present church building was constructed in 1928.
Hans Tietmann and Karl Haake designed St. Bruno. Their design broke away from the historicism prevalent in Dusseldorf church architecture. The visible brickwork and simple forms defined its clear appearance. This was a bold step for its time.
The church suffered damage during the Second World War. Reconstruction took place between 1949 and 1952. Heinz Thoma oversaw the rebuilding, adding a flat ceiling and wide-open side aisles. These changes enhanced the church’s modern feel.
A renovation in 2000 further emphasized St. Bruno’s unique design. Architects Hubert Brauns and Richard Janeschitz-Kriegl used color and materials skillfully. Their choices highlighted the architectural features.
Inside St. Bruno, the Stations of the Cross attracts attention. Cynthia Tokaya, a Dusseldorf artist, created them for the 2005 World Youth Day in the Rhineland. In 2009, they served as a model for the Ecumenical Youth Way of the Cross in Germany.
A statue of St. Bruno graces the right side aisle. He founded the Carthusian order. This order maintained a monastery in nearby Lichtenbroich until 1964. St. Bruno himself was born in Cologne around 1030. He sought silence and contemplation. He left a lasting impact on religious life.
Regular services take place at St. Bruno. On Wednesdays, a service is held at 7 PM. This includes an opportunity for confession and Eucharistic adoration. Sunday services are at 11 AM.
St. Bruno stands in Unterrath-West. It is a part of the Holy Family parish. In 1998, it became part of the Unterrath/Lichtenbroich parish association. Since 2011, it has belonged to the Holy Family parish.
The church’s architecture blends New Objectivity with Expressionism. Its functional forms and expressionistic brick ornaments made it Dusseldorf’s first modern sacred building. The tower stands to the side of the nave. Its slender height and asymmetrical openings add to its unique character.
Red brick makes up the entire church. Gray stone frames the portal, gables, edges, and the round window. This window replaced an earlier pointed arch window. St. Bruno has a three-aisled main building. A round apse sits at the end of the central aisle.
The original church had a triple, expressionistic pointed arch portal. This was replaced with a triple rectangular portal during reconstruction. Similarly, the expressionistic pointed arch window on the west facade was replaced by a large round window. The original pointed arches supporting the clerestory were replaced. Rectangular columns now support the clerestory at right angles. The clerestory windows, however, remain pointed arches. They echo Gothic designs.
The organ at St. Bruno was built in 1954. Orgelbauer Seifert from Kevelaer created it. In 2008, Willi Peter from Cologne rebuilt the instrument. This included adding a swell. The organ now has 28 registers. These are spread across three manuals and a pedal. The playing and register actions are electric.
St. Bruno embodies a journey through time. It reflects architectural innovation. It stands as a place of worship and a testament to faith’s enduring presence in Dusseldorf. Take a moment to appreciate its unique beauty.