Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Sacred Heart Church), Aachen

Herz-Jesu-Kirche was built in the early 20th century for a growing parish community. Construction began in 1908, and the church was consecrated on June 5, 1910, by Cardinal Anton Fischer. It was designed by Düsseldorf architect Josef Kleesattel and served a rapidly growing residential area. Locally, it is sometimes called the “Öcher Sacre Coeur” or “Frankenberger Dom.”

The building follows the Neo-Romanesque style, with rounded arches, thick walls, and a wide apse that give it a solid form. The exterior is mainly brick with light stone details. Original plans for a larger west tower and longer nave were never completed, so the church today has a central tower about 38 meters high, flanked by two smaller towers of around 30 meters.

Inside, the church has a three-aisled basilica layout with a wide central nave and lower side aisles. It was badly damaged during air raids in 1943 and 1944 and rebuilt by 1955 under architect Alfons Leitl. The interior was redesigned in a simpler, modern style, with stained-glass windows providing soft light. The church is still used for regular services today.