Reconstruction I Historical Buildings

Cross church in Suhl | facade restoration

The four naved church was built as Suhl’s second parish church in the years of 1731 – 1733. The number of the city’s evangelic community members rose so that the older Marienkirche could not offer enough space any longer. This is why in 1706 the Church of the Holy Cross community was founded and the foundation stone for the new construction of a church was laid on June 20, 1731.

With its position as ending of the westside at Steinweg, the church grants huge urbanistic importance. The facades are richely structured and excellently put to scheme by pilasters.

After preliminary researches in 2004, the facade was refurbished and partly reconstructed in four phases of construction. The natural stone details in the facade were strongly in need of repair due to weathering, salinization and wrong refurbishment in former times. The render was completely worn out. The glas ornaments in the lead glass windows were threatening to fall out and were secured by safety nets. The doors at the nave were unusable because of their condition. Even access stairs at the northside were broken off, putting an unsorted shrub plant infront of these entrances.

At the refurbishment ashlars were desalinized and hardened, exfoliation and cracks were grouted and defects removed by crossings and re-pointings. Water-bearing cornices were covered by flashings. The render got renewed and colored, the glazings renovated. The chosen coloring was developed out of color findings. Wooden and fitting parts of the doors were refurbished and the original wooden look restored to its former condition. The accessibility of the north side was restored by building new stairs. The church’s outdoor plant was bordered with a wall.