Church Conversions
Martin Luther Forum Ruhr / Photo: Peter Wiehler
Every metropolis has an architectural heritage that needs to be maintained. In the Ruhr Metropolis, the structures concerned are primarily churches and similar sacral buildings. These tell an architectural story that extends from the Middle Ages through the industrial era and into modern times.
Churches are identity-imparting landmarks within the urban area, cultural and spiritual focal points in people's lives and historical witnesses of an architectural age gone by. The effects of "shrinking demographics" and the fall in the numbers of church-goers accompanying this phenomenon have led to the closure of many churches.
Here, the philosophy is to retain rather than demolish, and this has also formed the basis of the 17 model appraisals conducted by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Together with the Protestant state churches and the Roman Catholic dioceses in NRW, solutions are discussed to determine how these sacral buildings may be converted to other uses. Examples are the former Markuskirche (Church of St. Mark) in Gladbeck and the Marienkirche (Church of St. Mary) in Bochum, both projects being representative of the general problem and the approach adopted.
Martin Luther Forum Ruhr
The Protestant Markuskirche in Gladbeck is a witness of the "virtual" building design movement from the 1960s. It was closed in 2008. Active citizens then leased this impressive modern church in order to convert it into a centre for dialogue and education: The Martin Luther Forum Ruhr. This holds an exhibition which tells of the cultural heritage of the Reformation in the Ruhr region. Extending over 200 square metres, it provides general information under the headings "Luther and his world", "Language and media", "The secular world and Sunday church" and "Roots and fruits of the Reformation". There is an accompanying educational programme for schoolchildren, and visitors are also invited to use all their senses in getting to know the great Reformer: in "Eating in Lutheran times", based on a historic evening meal, the discussion may touch upon Luther's table speeches or even perhaps the practicalities of table manners. Also planned are symposia on the Reformation in the Ruhr and a series of events such as "Talk at the Tower" and "Pro-Testate".
All Year
Tue - Fri 9:30 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00; Sat, Sun 14:00 - 17:00; Mon closed, groups and classes of schoolchildren are requested to register in advance
Partners: Martin Luther Forum Ruhr e. V., the patron is the President of the NRW State Parliament, Regina van Dinther
Marienkirche, Bochum
The Roman Catholic church of St. Mary is a central building block in the "Viktoria-QuartierBochum", one of ten "Creative.Quarters" of the Ruhr Metropolis. The impressive structural history of the church is destined to be further extended by its conversion plans. The change of use of St. Mary's in Bochum will ensure retention of its architectural influence on the town and will be very much in line with the planners’ determination to adopt a quality-aligned approach in maintaining the history and character of church buildings. As such, it will serve as a model for church conversion in the Ruhr Metropolis.
Partner: City of Bochum, MBV NRW
Church conversions in the Ruhr Metropolis: Model projects promoted by the State Ministry for Building and Transport NRW
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bochum
• St. Albertus-Magnus Catholic Church, Dortmund
• Protestant Church in Lindenhorst, Dortmund
• Catholic Church of the Ascension of St. Mary, Duisburg-Hüttenheim
• Protestant Church and Community Centre at Wintgensstrasse, Duisburg-Duissern
• Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf
• St Jacob’s Protestant Church, Gelsenkirchen-Horst
• St. Mark’s Protestant Church, Gladbeck-Mitte
You can find further information at:
International Symposium on Church Conversion
Related Topic:
Creative.Quarters