Description:
The Holy Cross Church was erected from 1927 to 1929 on a site in Gelsenkirchen situated in a coalmining suburb whose population was rapidly increasing at the time. The architect was Josef Franke. The execution of construction and design were seriously compromised by financial modifications necessitated by the closure of the largest pit in the region. It thus became necessary to exercise particular frugality in interior design. The interior was made by the ecclesial master painter Andeas Ballin. He used dark blues, greens and reds to create a mystical atmosphere. In 1966 Prof. Kadow gave the interior a new design. A subsidence in the vault due to mining rendered restoration works necessary. The work to be undertaken obviously had to include thorough interior redecoration. Andreas Ballin's expressionist painting had - apart from an area of minor damage - remained well-preserved. The paintings were restored and the other interior and details of the church got a new design harmonizing to the historical situation.