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Church St. Bonifatius
Mataréstrasse, Aachen
1959 - 1964
The
newly created parish of St. Catherine commissioned Rudolf Schwarz in
1959 with the preliminary planning of the church St. Bonifatius and the
overall planning of the parish center.
The design for the church dates from 1960, the construction of the building started three years later. The church rises in three different heights as mountain of stages above
a wide rectangular ground plan with dimensions of 28 x 21 meters. Two huge concrete frames appear on the exterior as pilasters, they are transformed into girders and run
longitudinally through the interior of the church. They are centrally crossed by anoter frame extending in the transverse direction. The lower edges of the frames define the
side aisles with a height of eight meters. At a height of twelve meters the T-shape of nave and transept can be seen on the ceiling. The maximum height of 16 meters is reached
above the altar area. This altar area, demarcated by a with few steps, stretches far into space. A free-standing gallery for singers on the west wall does not correspond to
the planning of Rudolf Schwarz, but has been complemented by demand of the building owners. The architect Rudolf Schwarz considerd the singers to be part of the community
and had the intention to build a low podium for them. There are three entrances to the church on the front side, the middle entrance is intended for ceremonial processions.
The buildings of the parish center define the church square opposite the front entrance. These buildings were built by other architects. The window strips of stained glass are
of increasing height and revolve around the whole church. Behind the altar, they are grouped by two large windows. In the middle field of the entrance front, the fields remain closed.
The flat ceilings are clad lengthwise with wooden fillets. Inside the church is plastered and brightly painted. Outside the concrete structure and the brick infill remain visible.
The design for the church dates from 1960, the construction of the building started three years later. The church rises in three different heights as mountain of stages above
a wide rectangular ground plan with dimensions of 28 x 21 meters. Two huge concrete frames appear on the exterior as pilasters, they are transformed into girders and run
longitudinally through the interior of the church. They are centrally crossed by anoter frame extending in the transverse direction. The lower edges of the frames define the
side aisles with a height of eight meters. At a height of twelve meters the T-shape of nave and transept can be seen on the ceiling. The maximum height of 16 meters is reached
above the altar area. This altar area, demarcated by a with few steps, stretches far into space. A free-standing gallery for singers on the west wall does not correspond to
the planning of Rudolf Schwarz, but has been complemented by demand of the building owners. The architect Rudolf Schwarz considerd the singers to be part of the community
and had the intention to build a low podium for them. There are three entrances to the church on the front side, the middle entrance is intended for ceremonial processions.
The buildings of the parish center define the church square opposite the front entrance. These buildings were built by other architects. The window strips of stained glass are
of increasing height and revolve around the whole church. Behind the altar, they are grouped by two large windows. In the middle field of the entrance front, the fields remain closed.
The flat ceilings are clad lengthwise with wooden fillets. Inside the church is plastered and brightly painted. Outside the concrete structure and the brick infill remain visible.