Imagine standing before St. Josef in Dresden. It is a testament to faith and resilience. This Catholic church in Pieschen has a story etched in its very walls.
St. Josef’s story began in 1891. A Catholic association formed in Pieschen. Back then, it was a predominantly Protestant area. The first Catholic service occurred in 1896. It took place at Ballhaus Watzke. A parish was established in 1904. Their initial chapel resided within the Catholic school on Leisniger Straße.
In 1908, Bishop Aloys Schäfer advocated for a proper church in Pieschen. Construction commenced in 1909. It concluded in 1910. Alexander Tandler designed St. Josef. It became Dresden’s first steel-concrete church. The architectural style is considered Neo-Romanesque. Despite being built during the Art Nouveau period, St. Josef displays few Jugendstil elements. St. Josef church was consecrated on October 10, 1910. The church tower was added in 1911.
During World War I, the church bells were melted down for the war effort. New bells were consecrated in 1930. However, history repeated itself. In 1942, two of the three bells were again melted down.
The air raids of 1945 partially destroyed St. Josef. Splinter damage and shockwaves shattered windows. Doors were torn from their hinges. Reconstruction finished in 1950. New bells were consecrated in 1959.
In 1968, the parish decided to remodel St. Josef. They followed the Second Vatican Council’s guidelines. The altar was moved to the center. Architect Hubert Paul led the remodeling from 1970 to 1978. Friedrich Press handled the sculptural work.
Due to restrictions, state-owned businesses couldn’t be used for the remodel. The parish managed the work themselves. Building materials were donated by dioceses in West Germany. An acoustics project by the Technical University of Dresden redesigned the ceiling. This ensured the priest and readers could be heard without microphones.
St. Josef was renovated in 2000. New windows were installed in the community rooms at the front. New heating systems were installed. A skylight was added in the apse. In May 2008, new church windows were inaugurated. Michael Morgner, an artist from Chemnitz, designed them.
Originally, St. Josef was designed as a processional church. The altar stood in the apse. It was elevated on a platform under a gilded stucco canopy. The church windows were darkly tinted.
The nave of St. Josef reaches a height of 12 meters. Inside the altar area, the twelve gates of Jerusalem are depicted. They appear as six double gates. The brick double gates represent the heavenly city. They symbolize the connection of the community. It connects the community with all Christians.
A side chapel holds the tabernacle. It takes the form of a stylized green pillar of fire. Above it, a crucifix portrays Christ’s suffering.
A wooden sculpture of Mary is on the right front pillar. It focuses on essential attributes. It highlights her pregnant form.
The organ is from 1995. It replaced an earlier instrument by Jehmlich. It was acquired from a Protestant community in Traunstein. It’s a modified series organ. The Austrian firm Rieger built it in 1953. Its sound reflects South German organ building. The organ has 21 registers. The pipes are made of copper.
After the original bells were melted down during World War I and again in World War II, St. Josef now has three bells. The large Josef bell was consecrated in 1959. The community of Dresden’s Neustadt gifted the middle bell, the Marienglocke. The small Elisabeth bell remains from the second set of bells. St. Josef stands as a symbol. It is a symbol of faith, community, and perseverance through trials.