St. Bartholomäus

St. Bartholomäus is a church in Ehrenfeld that embodies modern architecture through its clean, functional design and straightforward construction. The building combines elements of concrete and glass while creating spaces for worship and the storage of cremated remains.

Architect Hans Schwippert designed this church in the postwar period and embedded modernist principles into its sacred architecture. The project emerged during a time when Germany needed to rebuild its religious buildings with new approaches.

The church serves today as a place for worship and as a crematorium memorial site where people gather to remember the deceased. Both functions shape how the spaces are used and make the building a center for grief and faith in the district.

The church is well located in the Ehrenfeld district and accessible by public transportation from central Cologne. Visitors should check in advance whether services or memorial events are scheduled to choose the best time for a visit.

The building was recognized as an architectural heritage monument for representing postwar modern sacred architecture in Germany. This recognition shows how important such structures are for understanding German postwar history.

Location: Ehrenfeld

Architects: Hans Schwippert

Website: http://grabeskirchekoeln.de

GPS coordinates: 50.95409,6.90293

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01