St. Maria in den Benden

St. Maria in den Benden stands in Düsseldorf’s Wersten district as a Catholic church designed by Emil Steffann. Its modern form resembles a barn among houses with one and two storeys and pitched roofs. Visible brickwork expresses the community as “living stones,” while a high glass façade brings daylight into the interior. The church, parish hall, rectory, and kindergarten gather beneath one pitched roof around a courtyard. This arrangement creates a Marian space centred on shared community life.

Inside, a concrete floor holds embedded pebbles that connect the building with the nearby Rhine landscape. A bell hangs on the exterior façade, giving the simple structure a distinct visible detail. Leonie Alt’s works include a nativity scene and a Pietà within the church. Johannes Klais built the organ, which stands on the choir gallery. Polish Catholic worship also forms part of the church’s life, with Mass celebrated in Polish on Sundays and holidays.