Into the Light - Church of Christ in Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate

The aim was to uncover the true character of the Christuskirche, while carrying it forward into the 21st century — to create an atmospheric space that subtly resonates with people, yet steps back to allow vibrant life and diverse uses to unfold within it. The human being is both the center and the measure. In the nave, one might hold a church service, but also gather for a shared meal, dance, or host an exhibition. The chancel invites retreat — for silent prayer, quiet meditation, or even a toddler-friendly worship service.

The redesign offered a rare chance: to lead a Counter-Reformation monastery church—whose foundation was laid in the 17th century, later secularized and repurposed for all manner of uses—into a future where people can meet one another on equal footing, free of thresholds. The church interior had last been shaped in the 1930s and still bore the liturgical and architectural spirit of that era. Structurally, technically (especially regarding fire safety), and functionally, the building had significant shortcomings. One of the most important conceptual challenges was to reunite the physical space with the lived liturgy and worship practices of a vibrant, active congregation. We saw ourselves as seismographs—tuned to the emotional vibrations of this community—and accompanied the people on the journey of evolving their church. Amid the restrictions of the pandemic, we engaged in many heartfelt discussions across workshops and participatory formats, involving key voices from the congregation, the regional Protestant Church, and heritage authorities. Together, we reimagined the sacred space.

This church exists in both material and immaterial realms. Its historic fabric was preserved, freed from later overlayerings, and gently renewed using natural materials. The stained-glass windows, for instance, were retained and reinterpreted—layered with a semi-transparent textile that now filters softly into the new church interior. We were able to return the church’s historic chancel to its rightful place. There, every hard edge was broken, dematerialized. The space is built of light. The gaze is drawn toward the infinite, the numinous—the light at the end, a symbol of resurrection. To this end, a new spatial shell was created within the chancel: curved wooden ribs, clad in planks, wrapped in two layers of reed, then finished with clay plaster on the walls and a mineral screed on the floor. Wall and floor flow into one another, dissolving the corners of the room. Two distinct materials, each with their own demands—brought together into a single unity. The project was made possible through the support of the parish, the Protestant Church of Bavaria, the City of Neumarkt, and a large crowdfunding campaign initiated and carried out by the congregation itself.