International Symposion on Church Conversion
St. Bernardus in Oberhausen / Photo: Peter Stockhausen
During recent decades, structural change in the Ruhr region has resulted in industrial sites being put to new and alternative uses. Numerous churches are now faced with a comparable process of change. In many cases these buildings are of high architectural quality, enjoy a prominent position in the cityscape and, above all, are of major spiritual significance.
In the light of these factors, the process itself is an unparalleled "lab situation" that is already attracting a great deal of attention both within Germany and internationally. During the International Symposium from 22 to 25 September 2010, the primary focus will not be on pragmatic issues relating to the buildings' functional reuse but, instead, the cultural and spiritual changes resulting from the phenomenon of church conversion.
The Symposium will be organised by the Diocese of Essen in cooperation with the Catholic Academy of the Diocese of Essen Die Wolfsburg and the German Society of Christian Art (Munich). The venue will be St. Bernardus Church in Oberhausen, which in 2006/7 was renovated and refitted for new roles - a church building for special worship services and an events centre. The event is anticipated to include an excursion to a number of "other churches".
Partners: Catholic Academy DIE WOLFSBURG, North Rhine-Westphalia state initiative StadtBauKultur, German Society for Christian Art, diocese of Essen
Related topics:
church conversions
www.kultur-im-bistum-essen-2010.de