Once a sacred space, now a gymnasium. That’s the story of St. Elisabeth in Muenster. Constructed in 1939, St. Elisabeth Church was meant to be a beacon of faith. It stood tall as a testament to architectural design.
But war raged across Europe. In 1944, bombs rained down, leaving St. Elisabeth in ruins. Yet, hope flickered. From 1946 to 1951, dedicated hands rebuilt the church. They resurrected it from the ashes.
Architecturally, St. Elisabeth is a three-aisled basilica. Red brick and red clay tiles give it a distinctive look. The spacious central nave boasts a coffered ceiling. Narrow side aisles flank the nave, connected by arches. The entrance faces east, featuring a new canopy. A large circular stained-glass window adorns it.
Inside St. Elisabeth, the western choir wall displays a Pentecost mosaic. It was completed in 1963. For years, St. Elisabeth served its parish. But times changed.
In 2008, Weihbischof Franz-Josef Overbeck deconsecrated St. Elisabeth. Its chapter as a church closed. But a new chapter began. From 2013 to 2014, St. Elisabeth underwent a transformation. It became a gymnasium for the Montessori School. Side aisles became changing rooms. The former rectory and southern parish house were torn down.
In their place, a new building arose. It houses the St. Elisabeth Kindergarten on the ground floor. Student apartments sit above. The community found a way to preserve St. Elisabeth’s legacy. It now meets the evolving needs of the area.
The exterior of St. Elisabeth largely remained the same during its conversion. The red brick and roof still dominate the view. Light sandstone frames the entrances. Inside, the character of the church has been preserved to create a special atmosphere, despite its new purpose. The former sanctuary is now a sports hall.
The main hall of St. Elisabeth with its flat coffered ceiling was perfectly suited for use as a sports hall due to its shape and proportions. The historic church floor has been replaced with a functional wooden sports floor. Wooden bumpers visually extend the new floor to about a third of the wall. This creates a clear boundary to the historic structure. The upper wall areas are plastered white. The historic dark brown coffered ceiling was retained. Its materials and colors create a reference to the new wooden fixtures.
In the entrance area, the historic arcades with round arches have been visibly preserved. They are separated from the main hall by a glass wall. The choir area on the opposite side is raised by a few steps. It can be separated by a curtain during sports activities. However, it can also be used as a stage.
The side aisles are separated from the main hall by wooden bumpers. The bumpers are also acoustically effective. They serve as changing rooms and sanitary facilities.
Though no longer a church, St. Elisabeth remains a vital part of Muenster. It is a testament to the city’s ability to adapt. It is a place where history and community intertwine. The walls of St. Elisabeth stand as a reminder of Muenster’s past. It is a place where faith once resonated and children now play.