Photo: Cesar von Meissen
St. Lucius Church in Essen-Werden - Information and architecture
St. Lucius Church in the Werden district of Essen is a historical gem with an eventful past. It is one of the oldest parish churches north of the Alps. Here is some interesting information about the church on Heckstraße:
Origins and architecture
Construction of Lucius Church began in 995 under Abbot Werinbert. After its completion, it was consecrated by Archbishop Anno II of Cologne in 1063. Originally built as a simple hall, the church was given two low aisles around 1100. The northern choir wall shows remains of early Romanesque wall paintings. The architecture is both simple and remarkable. The almost apsidal entrance hall was placed in front of a massive, fortress-like west tower, with two smaller towers flanking the choir bay.
Secularization and reconstruction
The Roman Catholic church is located to the north of St. Ludgerus Basilica and is considered one of the oldest parish churches north of the Alps. Originally built as a branch church of the Benedictine monastery of Werden, it was reserved for devotion and prayer and was used as a spiritual center. Over the course of time, Lucius Church was deconsecrated and in the 19th century, from 1811, it was used as a straw warehouse and even once served as a residential building with additional ceilings and walls. Thanks to the plans of Prof. Wilhelm Effmann, it was possible to restore the church to its original state as part of a reconstruction project. Reconstruction began in 1957. In 1965, Lucius Church was restored and consecrated for a second time.
Works of art and interior design
The front and back of the altar are decorated with reliefs by the sculptor Elmar Hillebrand. Remains of historical paintings are preserved in the niches on the sides of the choir. The Luciuskirche is entered through a heavy double door with copper fittings. A stately holy water font is placed in the middle of the square-shaped vestibule. The picturesque and colorful design of the church is based on the era in which it was built, the Romanesque period. Simple façades, meter-thick walls, small windows with semi-circular arches are the unmistakable features of this era, which are also characteristic of the Luciuskirche in the south of Essen.
Our conclusion
The church, which is rather plain on the outside and inside, impresses with its special atmosphere. The rather small church - compared to stately places of worship - has a homely feel inside and is almost cozy despite its straight lines. Due to the meter-thick walls, it is very cool in the church even in midsummer outside temperatures - something you should take into account when choosing your wardrobe when attending a mass or wedding ceremony. Today, the church is used for Catholic family services, school services and choir rehearsals. Due to its attractive location not far from the Ruhr and Lake Baldeny and its personal atmosphere, Luciuskirche is also a popular venue for weddings.
