St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen

Across the street, the vibrant hues of St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen beckon us closer. The church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a symbol of Flingern’s resilience. St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen, also known as Liebfrauenkirche, stands proudly in Flingern-Nord. This neo-Gothic masterpiece, designed by Caspar Clemens Pickel, has witnessed the changing tides of Düsseldorf since 1892. Initially built to accommodate over 2000 people, St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen cost a hefty 240,000 Mark. Its construction, between 1890 and 1892, marked a significant moment in Flingern’s history. The church’s yellow brick facade, accented with Haustein, hints at the grandeur within. The square bell tower, modified with a “blunter, pyramidal helmet” after wartime damage, watches over the neighborhood. Two chapel-like structures flank the tower. This creates a facade slightly wider than the nave. St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen suffered significant damage during World War II. The extensive reconstruction, spanning from 1947 to 1949, breathed new life into the war-torn structure. The interior underwent a dramatic transformation between 1963 and 1965. Gottfried Böhm’s redesign opened up the walls between the chapels. This created a continuous ring around the choir. He also replaced the original neo-Gothic ribbed vault with a flat stalactite ceiling. Today, the colorful stained-glass windows, including works by Hans Lünenborg, flood the space with a vibrant glow. The church now belongs to the parish association Flingern/Düsseltal, encompassing other parishes like St. Elisabeth, St. Vinzenz, and St. Paulus. This association serves a diverse community of approximately 15,000 members. The church also houses a remarkable organ. Originally built in 1967 for St. Vinzenz, the organ was relocated and enhanced in 2002. It now boasts 27 registers. A visit to St. Mariä Himmelfahrt – Liebfrauen isn’t just about admiring its architecture. It’s about experiencing the living history within its walls. The church’s story, a testament to community and resilience, continues to unfold.