Ever noticed how this church stands perfectly aligned with the A52 Autobahn? That’s St. Maria unter dem Kreuz. Its location creates a striking landmark in Unterrath. This Roman Catholic parish church has a rich story.
St. Maria unter dem Kreuz was built between 1869 and 1873. August Rincklake was the architect. He designed it in the neo-Gothic style. The church was consecrated on September 14, 1873. Imagine the celebrations that day!
Look closely. You will see the church has two distinct sections. The main and side naves appear compact. But the chancel soars upwards. This division came about through later expansion.
In 1930 and 1931, Paul Sültenfuß expanded St. Maria unter dem Kreuz. This gave the church its current form. The bright, simple neo-Gothic interior is striking. The chancel is dominated by a large crucifixion group.
Take a moment to appreciate the interior. The right transept features a Pieta. This sculpture of Mary holding the dead Jesus is powerful. It directly relates to the church’s name St. Maria unter dem Kreuz. Leopold Peers’ Stations of the Cross are also remarkable. The crucifixion group behind the altar likely dates back to the 19th century.
Extensive restoration work took place in the early 1970s. Heinrich Dölken was the architect in charge. The parish of St. Maria unter dem Kreuz existed until 2010. In 2011, it merged into the larger parish of Heilige Familie. This was due to a shortage of priests.
Regular church services still take place here. You can attend services on Tuesdays at 9 am, Fridays at 6.30 pm and Sundays at 9.30 am.
The organ in St. Maria unter dem Kreuz was built in 1974. Willi Peter from Cologne built it. The instrument has 24 registers and two manuals. The sounds fill the church beautifully.
St. Maria unter dem Kreuz stands as a testament to faith and architectural evolution. Its history reflects changes in the community. It is a landmark visible from afar. It is a place of worship that continues to serve its community.