Heilig-Geist-Kirche, Catholic church in Bielefeld, Germany

The Heilig-Geist-Kirche is a modern church in Bielefeld with an unusual octagonal floor plan. The building stands out for its clean contemporary design and interior that feels bright and open to visitors.

Built in 1990/91 to plans by Münster architect Dieter Georg Baumewerd, the church replaced two parish churches that had become too small for the growing congregation: Heilig Geist in Wellensiek and Heilige Familie in Uerentrup. Rainer Maria Kresing supervised construction, and Archbishop Johannes Joachim Degenhardt consecrated the building on 15 September 1991.

The church holds works by two sculptors: Thomas Torkler from Aachen made the altar, ambo, tabernacle, baptismal font and the bronze Tree of Life cross, while Bert Gerresheim from Düsseldorf created the Stations of the Cross as bronze relief panels. The floor of the altar area and the tabernacle console are cut from reddish Verona marble with white Carrara Arabescato.

The church is accessible throughout the year and welcomes visitors with proper courtesy. It is advisable to check for services or events to avoid interrupting private ceremonies.

The altar's mensa comes from the former Heilige Familie church, and a shrine in the altar's entrance-facing side holds a relic of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt. The sculptor Thomas Torkler shaped the altar so its four sides taper to points, recalling the horns of the Jewish altar that fugitives grasped for asylum.