St. Joseph

St. Joseph is a parish church in Gelsenkirchen with a three-nave basilica structure built in brick, featuring two towers on the western side and a rounded choir area to the east. The building presents a distinctive vertical profile that stands out in the urban landscape.

The church was completed in 1894 following the Romanesque Revival style popular for church buildings in that era. After severe bombing devastation in 1944 that destroyed roughly 90 percent of the structure, extensive reconstruction followed.

The Aloisius window from 1959 shows the patron saint of youth dressed in contemporary style with modern items like sneakers and holding a soccer ball. This artwork connects religious tradition to the everyday world of young people in the postwar era.

Visitors should plan ahead since the interior may not be accessible during services or special events on certain days. You can contact the parish office at various times throughout the week for information about visiting opportunities.

The organ installed in 1970 came from the workshop of Franz Breil, a craftsman who worked right after the postwar reconstruction period. Its 42 registers distributed across three manuals and pedal create a rich variety of tones for concerts and services.

Location: Gelsenkirchen

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 51.52040,7.09136

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:40