Raum für neue Wege I Kirche weiterdenken

Raum für neue Wege I Kirche weiterdenken #1

A cultural series, a two-day summer workshop, and a participatory art installation will offer a fresh perspective on the church space and provide ample opportunity for exploring new approaches. This year's Architectural Culture Workshop, organized by the Hessian State Initiative for Architectural Culture, will kick off the summer workshop.

Program – Friday, June 19, 2026 (Herz Jesu Church, Kelsterbach)

3:00 PM Welcome with Mayor Manfred Ockel

Churches in Transition – Best Practice and Governance Models
Prof. Stefan Rettich, Department of Urban Design, University of Kassel

Dialogue: The Future Challenge of Church Heritage
Prof. Dr. Markus Harzenetter, Director of the Hessian State Office for Monument Preservation

4:45 PM Churches as New Places of Social Cohesion
Examples from North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by a panel discussion

6:30 PM Long Table of Building Culture in the Garden of the Sacred Heart Church
Snacks and refreshments overlooking the River Main

8:00 PM End of the day

Program – Saturday, June 20, 2026 (Herz Jesu Church, Kelsterbach)

11:00 AM Opening

11:30 AM Open Discussion Round
Opportunities and limitations of repurposing church buildings

12:30 PM Workshop Part I
“How Do We Perceive Church Space?” – An Emotional Exploration

1:15 PM Lunch Break

2:00 PM Workshop Part II
“Rethinking Church Space” – Developing Ideas and Design Workshop

3:45 PM Presentation of Results
Followed by a shared closing session

Food and refreshments will be provided on both event days.

Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, City of Kelsterbach, ProjektStadt | Integrated Urban Development, Herz Jesu Parish, and the Hessian State Initiative for Building Culture. ProjektStadt | Integrierte Stadtentwicklung is the project developer and project manager for the project "Raum für neue Wege | Kirche weiterdenken" - Herz Jesu Church Kelsterbach.