When does the exhibition take place in Bochum?

The exhibition is open on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Where does Building on the Church – Ruhr Cultural Center take place?

The exhibition takes place at the Christ-König Church at Steinring 34 in 44789 Bochum.

What is the admission fee?

Admission to the exhibition is free.

What can be seen in the exhibition?

The exhibition features plans, models, and visualizations from 30 graduates of TU Dortmund on the repurposing of five churches in the Ruhr area.

What themes does the exhibition address?

The exhibition addresses the further development of former church spaces and their potential new uses for art, movement, knowledge, encounter, and society.

Is the event suitable for interested individuals outside the community?

Yes, the exhibition is aimed at all interested parties from architecture, church, community, culture, and urban society.

Building on the Church: Discover the Future of Sacred Spaces in the Heart of Bochum

Name: Building on the Church – Ruhr Cultural Center
Start: 2026-11-11T15:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-11T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Christ-König-Kirche

Building on the Church: New Perspectives for Sacred Spaces

Where once prayer and worship shaped the space, a new discourse on memory, community, and future begins. The exhibition Building on the Church – Ruhr Cultural Center invites you to experience the Christ-König Church in Bochum as a place of architectural visions and societal questions.

Architecture between History and Future

30 graduates of TU Dortmund present their master's theses on the repurposing of five churches in the Ruhr area. The focus is on the Christ-König Church in Bochum, St. Albertus Magnus, St. Paulus, St. Johannes Baptist, and the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Essen-Frillendorf.

The designs question how church spaces can preserve their identity while taking on new tasks. Plans, models, and visualizations showcase ideas for studios, movement spaces, libraries, stages, baths, and walk-in data centers.

A Unique Spiritual Experience

The exhibition opens a silent dialogue between sacred atmosphere, architecture, and societal change. Light, spatial proportions, materials, and the history of the Christ-König Church form the starting point for a religious experience that extends beyond the traditional worship service.

Visitors will experience how spiritual community, cultural encounter, and new forms of public use can come together in former church spaces. The exhibition builds on the architectural impulses of Manifesta 16 Ruhr and makes visible what future lies in existing churches.

Exhibition at the Ruhr Cultural Center

The cooperation project of Baukultur NRW and the Chair of Massive Construction at TU Dortmund follows the principle of continuing building. It is not about demolition and new construction, but about the careful or bold development of existing architecture.

The Christ-König Church itself serves as a vivid example. Since 1998, it has no longer been used for services and has already been a venue for exhibitions and the location of Manifesta. In this special atmosphere, theology, architectural culture, spirituality, and questions of the future merge.

Opening Hours and Admission

On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the exhibition is open from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free. The exhibition runs from November 7 to December 13, 2026, and can be visited on Wednesdays and on weekends.

The exhibition is aimed at architecture enthusiasts, people from church and community, students, and everyone interested in the future of religious places.

Conclusion

Building on the Church – Ruhr Cultural Center offers an inspiring view of churches as places of memory, encounter, and societal renewal. Those who wish to experience how sacred spaces gain new meaning will find in the Christ-König Church an impressive connection between architecture, spirituality, and community. The visit invites reflection, wonder, and personal conversation.