The Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche conversion is a city-led project to give a former church in Ückendorf, Gelsenkirchen, a new role as a multi-purpose venue and neighbourhood centre. The church, at Bochumer Straße, was designed by architect Josef Franke and built between 1927 and 1929; it was taken out of religious use in 2007. 32
The City of Gelsenkirchen bought the building from the St. Augustinus parish in 2017. Its plans sought both to preserve the listed structure and to support the renewal of the Bochumer Straße area by bringing the building back into use. 42 The city is the project’s developer; the conversion was designed by pbs Architekten of Aachen. 46
Work began with a foundation-stone ceremony in January 2019. The design included a roughly 400-square-metre event space, planned to accommodate up to 700 people depending on seating, as well as facilities for events and other uses. 46 The former church has since been adapted for cultural events, conferences and other gatherings, with activities intended to serve both the wider city and the local neighbourhood. 36
The project preserves the church’s historic fabric while adapting it for public assembly, including accessibility and building-services requirements. The city describes the venue as part of efforts to connect the building with its surrounding district and strengthen the area’s future. 36 The conversion was completed in 2021, and concerts and other cultural events have taken place there since 2022. 36