Churches as Fourth Places

The exhibition "Churches as Fourth Places. Perspectives from North Rhine-Westphalia" by Baukultur NRW addresses the conversion of sacred buildings threatened by vacancy.

The Nathanael Church in Cologne-Bilderstöckchen belongs to the Protestant Nathanael Church congregation and was completed in 1965. It is constructed of exposed concrete, wood, glass, and slate; architecturally, the community center is distinguished by its six-sided floor plan, red brick cladding, and a striking glass gable façade.

The imposing concrete bell tower has three tapered legs, one of which forms a cross with the base plate. Characterized by exposed concrete walls and a wooden ceiling, the interior is kept simple. The ecclesiastical furnishings, including the oxblood-red altar block with its filigree steel cross, were designed by the artist Heinz Heiber.

The Nathanael Church is now actively used by the Protestant congregation. Services for an African congregation also take place here. The church and parish hall are also used as temporary shelter for asylum seekers under the church asylum program. Future plans include further expanding the community-oriented character of the site and using the church building as a meeting place for the newly constructed apartments.

Opening: May 7, 2025, 6 p.m.