St. Franziska Romana

Nestled beside the Schleißheimer Canal, St. Franziska Romana has witnessed a fascinating transformation. This modern marvel, consecrated in 1971, stands in stark contrast to Hochbrück’s past. The area once housed wartime barracks and later, a displaced persons camp. Can you imagine attending Catholic services in a former canteen? That’s how it all began for this community in the 1950s. They even had a church bus to Garching. In 1958, the Notkirche Zu den Heiligen Engeln, a relocated temporary church, was consecrated here. St. Franziska Romana wasn’t always a solid structure. Tragedy struck in 1967 when the wooden Notkirche burned down, likely due to arson. Services then moved to the local school. But from the ashes rose a new beginning. Architect Hans Knapp-Schachleiter designed the current St. Franziska Romana. The building began in 1969 and the church opened its doors in 1971. The attached community center, kindergarten, and priest’s apartment were part of this new complex. Notice the striking dark brown spruce wood facade and the separate concrete bell tower. Inside St. Franziska Romana, four steel girders span the ceiling, supporting a suspended wooden roof. Natural light filters through a skylight, illuminating the exposed brick back wall. Admire the travertine altar, tabernacle, and flooring. The tabernacle is a work of art by sculptor Max Faller. The wooden crucifix hanging above the altar is a survivor. It was rescued from the 1967 fire. Look for the replica of a Gothic Madonna and Child, similar to the one in Garching’s main church. The Stations of the Cross were created in 1973 by Marlene Reidel. St. Franziska Romana even boasts a small, six-register pipe organ built in 1967. Two bells, cast in 1972, hang in the freestanding bell tower outside. St. Franziska Romana stands as a testament to the resilience and faith of the Hochbrück community.