Precast spire overlooking the sea

Figure: Robert Mehl

The new Church of St. Mary in Horumersiel-Schillig is situated right behind the dike

Figure: Robert Mehl

$The interior is marked by the light effects created by the rooflights that should be reminiscent of light refraction in water$ Figure: Robert Mehl

The interior is marked by the light effects created by the rooflights that should be reminiscent of light refraction in water

Figure: Robert Mehl

The central waterspout at the lowest point of the roof. This precast element was colored by adding the maximum permissible pigment ratio of 6 %

Figure: Robert Mehl

Figure: Göken + Henckel

The precast element was mounted on the unfinished wall and the facing brickwork laid right to the element’s edge

Figure: Göken + Henckel

Roofers line the precast element with sheet metal and connect it to the roof drainage system

Figure: Göken + Henckel

The spire should continuously project from the building without having a horizontal fascia. The only available option to achieve this goal was precast

Figure: Königs Architekten

Workers had to wait until the element could be lifted into place on a calm day

Figure: Königs Architekten

Figure: Göken + Henckel

The supporting metal structure to fix the circumferential fascia. This is where the facing brickwork was attached during concrete pouring

Figure: Göken + Henckel

In the lower part, bricks were subsequently fixed by mortar to compensate for deviations from specified tolerances

Figure: Göken + Henckel

One of only a few Roman Catholic churches that were newly constructed in the past few years in Germany is located in Horumersiel-Schillig, a North Sea spa situated directly by the Wadden Sea. Its spire is a precast element that impresses with its sophisticated geometry.

In the wake of the dwindling number of Roman Catholic adherents in Germany, a newly built Catholic church would hit the headlines anyway – particularly if it is located in Northern Germany, which is rather a Protestant stronghold. However, Horumersiel is home to one of the largest caravan camping sites in Germany, which is mainly frequented by holiday makers from the Ruhrgebiet, a predominantly Roman Catholic region. Past experience shows that people increasingly deal with religious matters when on holiday, which is why the old church attracted many worshippers, too.

However, this compact,...