St. Bonifatius Church | Address & Directions in Gelsenkirchen

The St. Bonifatius Church in Gelsenkirchen-Erle is a place where church architecture, urban history, and contemporary art overlap. The building at Cranger Straße 338 was constructed in 1963 by Ernst von Rudloff, and the church has been closed since 2007 and deconsecrated since 2014. Today, one encounters not only a striking post-war building but also a venue for events and exhibitions, which is continued in Manifesta 16 Ruhr as St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Teegarten. For those seeking information on address, opening hours, public transport, accessibility, and current usage, the location is particularly exciting because it combines several themes: historical church architecture, temporary art, community work, and the question of how former sacred spaces can take on new roles. The official pages provide the address, opening hours during the Biennale, and the barrier-free access points. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_funktionsnavigation/presse/pressemeldungen/68607-manifesta-16-ruhr-richtet-zentrale-in-gelsenkirchen-ein))

Manifesta 16 Ruhr, Opening Hours and Free Admission

Those looking for current events around the St. Bonifatius Church will primarily find the Manifesta 16 Ruhr in 2026. The Biennale will take place from June 21 to October 4, 2026, in Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, and Bochum. It is important for visitors: Admission to Manifesta 16 Ruhr is free, and no ticket is required. The opening hours of the St. Bonifatius location are clearly stated: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. On the German and English venue pages, the site is also listed as an info point, making it not only an exhibition space but also a practical point of contact for orientation in the parcours. This fits with the curatorial approach of the Biennale, which deliberately distributes its projects across several districts and neighborhoods, making the journey through the region part of the visitor experience. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

The location is thus more than just a single church in the urban landscape of Gelsenkirchen. The Manifesta describes the venue as part of a larger visitor offering with maps, routes, info points, and recommendations for the Ruhr area. This is particularly helpful for guests visiting St. Bonifatius Church for the first time: one can not only target the location but also use it as a starting point for a guided tour. The current venue page also lists regular events, including Neighbourhood Tea Ceremonies, Open Walks, and other formats. This combination of exhibition space, meeting place, and information point makes the St. Bonifatius Church a very specific destination in the perception of many seekers: not a classic concert venue, not a museum in the strict sense, but a place where cultural use and local relevance are consciously considered together. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

Address, Public Transport and Directions to Cranger Straße 338

The exact address is Cranger Straße 338, 45891 Gelsenkirchen. This is important for directions because many inquiries about the location are made not by building name but by street or by the district of Erle. The organizers mention the public transport connections as the subway stops Marktstraße and Friesenstraße, as well as the bus stops Marktstraße and Auguststraße. Additionally, there is a bike-sharing station according to the event information. This means that the St. Bonifatius Church is well integrated into the urban network and can be reached without complicated detours. Those traveling in Gelsenkirchen will find the church in an area that appears more urban and everyday than secluded or peripheral. This location explains why the venue works so well as a meeting point for art, exchange, and neighborhood work. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

When it comes to parking, caution is advised with blanket statements. The official venue page does not mention any dedicated visitor parking for St. Bonifatius. For context, a look at urban planning helps: Cranger Straße is part of a densely used district center in Erle, where the city describes a high usage density, numerous retail and service offerings, and the retention and expansion of existing center functions. The planning documents also mention parking areas in the vicinity of the center, such as the parking lot on Schulstraße. This does not automatically mean that parking space is available directly at the church in the desired extent, but it does mean that the surrounding area generally accommodates car-oriented accessibility. Therefore, those arriving by car should plan with some lead time and check the specific parking situation on-site on the day of their visit. For visitors who want to remain flexible, public transport is usually the more pleasant and reliable choice. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/anhang/13907-anlage_2_-_zentrenpaesse.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Parking in the District Center Erle

The question of parking is one of the most common inquiries regarding the St. Bonifatius Church, even though the location today primarily functions as a place for art and encounters. This is understandable, as Cranger Straße is not an isolated church location but a lively district space with commerce, services, and urban infrastructure. The municipal documents on center development make it clear that Erle – Cranger Straße is treated as a district center with high usage density. For this reason, it makes sense to view parking not in isolation as a church issue but as part of the overall arrival in the neighborhood. When an event like the Manifesta 16 Ruhr takes place in the church, the visit can also be combined with a short walk through the center, which facilitates orientation on-site and fits well with the atmosphere of the district. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/anhang/13907-anlage_2_-_zentrenpaesse.pdf?utm_source=openai))

The most honest and useful recommendation is therefore: The official website does not mention any dedicated parking facility for St. Bonifatius, and for this reason, one should not rely on a fixed parking space when planning. Those arriving by car can check the parking situation in the district center Erle or along Cranger Straße but should allow sufficient time. Those looking for a direct, reliable, and less stressful solution are better off taking the subway, bus, or using bike-sharing. This consideration is useful for seekers because it does not work with unverified promises but with what the official sources actually provide. Thus, the information remains reliable: The location is urban, the traffic and local supply structure is present, but a separately designated visitor parking garage for the church is not mentioned. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

History of St. Bonifatius Church in Gelsenkirchen

The history of St. Bonifatius Church begins in the post-war period. The church was built in 1963 according to the plans of architect Ernst von Rudloff and is explicitly referred to in the urban description as a classic post-war church. Later, its use changed fundamentally: the church has been closed since 2007 and deconsecrated since 2014. This development makes it particularly interesting for today's urban history, as it exemplifies the transformation of religious spaces in a city that increasingly considers its sacred buildings from urban, social, and cultural perspectives. In the urban planning documents, the former Bonifatius Church even appears as a potential area in the southern fringe of the center, indicating a place where new uses may become conceivable. This shows that the history of this church does not end with its closure but extends into the debates about urban development and repurposing. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

The city of Gelsenkirchen itself also emphasizes in connection with the Manifesta that St. Bonifatius in Erle has been closed since 2007 and later transformed into new forms of encounter by Urbane Künste Ruhr and other initiatives. The former church is thus a good example of how a sacred space can become a cultural place without completely losing its architectural identity. This tension makes it appealing for visitors: one does not come to a place that hides its past but to a building whose former function remains visible and is reinterpreted. Therefore, those searching for St. Bonifatius Church Gelsenkirchen, history, or post-war church will find here not a musealized backdrop but a vibrant place where historical layers and current use coexist. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/festivals_und_programmreihen/manifesta.aspx))

Architecture and Features of the Post-War Building

Architecturally, St. Bonifatius Church is particularly noteworthy for its striking roof. The city of Gelsenkirchen describes the building as a post-war church with a special roof structure consisting of 78 triangular surfaces and combining five upward-pointing pyramids with eight elements that protrude into the church nave. Such details are not only exciting for architecture enthusiasts but also for anyone looking for an unusual church building in the Ruhr area. The construction thus appears less like a classic historical sacred space and more like a deliberately designed post-war building with a strong, geometric expression. This formal language contributes to St. Bonifatius repeatedly receiving attention in urban and artistic contexts. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/festivals_und_programmreihen/manifesta.aspx))

The city's Manifesta description underscores this impression by referring to St. Bonifatius as an impressive example of the creative repurposing of former church buildings. This is important because the architectural value here lies not only in the time of its creation but also in the building's ability to take on new functions. After its closure and deconsecration, the substance did not simply remain empty but was gradually integrated into new programs. For search intentions related to architecture, features, history, and photos, this means: The church is relevant not only because of its name but also because of its form, its post-war language, and its current impact in the urban space. Those searching for an unusual example of modern church architecture in Gelsenkirchen will find St. Bonifatius to be a building that is formally independent while remaining closely connected to the development of the Erle district. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

Accessibility, Info Point, and Practical Tips On-Site

For practical visits, the accessibility information on the venue page is very helpful. St. Bonifatius is designated as wheelchair accessible; there is a ramp that allows wheelchair users to enter the premises. At the same time, Manifesta points out that not all areas are necessarily equally accessible and that the toilets on-site are not wheelchair accessible. This is honest and important information as it provides visitors with orientation in advance and avoids false expectations. Especially in the case of a former church building that has been transformed into an exhibition use, such notes are essential for planning a good visit. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

As an info point, St. Bonifatius additionally fulfills a service function. Manifesta recommends starting the visit at one of their info points, taking a map, and getting information about routes, events, and paths in the Ruhr area. For St. Bonifatius, there is also a mention of Open Walks that lead from here to Thomaskirche. This makes the location particularly attractive for people who want to understand not just a single place but the entire curated route. Those present on the days of the Biennale can meaningfully combine the opening hours, the barrier-free access points, and the role as a starting point for tours. Thus, St. Bonifatius is not only a destination but also a starting point for a cultural journey through Gelsenkirchen. ([manifesta16.org](https://manifesta16.org/de/venues/st-bonifatius))

Ferdane Satır Teegarten and Current Cultural Use

The current use of St. Bonifatius Church is closely linked to Urbane Künste Ruhr and Manifesta 16 Ruhr. Since June 3, 2022, Urbane Künste Ruhr has been operating the Healing Complex project here, which was further developed in 2023 with Myconomie. The site has thus become a meeting and community space where work has been done with mushrooms, baking, exchange, and communal processes. This shows that the cultural use of the former church did not just begin in 2026 but is based on a longer development. Manifesta continues this transformation with the Ferdane Satır Teegarten and emphasizes themes such as food and drink, migration, and identity. For the search for St. Bonifatius Church Gelsenkirchen, this is a central point because the location today is not only historically interesting but is actively utilized. ([urbanekuensteruhr.de](https://www.urbanekuensteruhr.de/ausstellung/healing-complex))

The event descriptions for Manifesta make it clear that the tea garden is not simply a decorative project but a place charged with content. The facility refers to the first gardens established by labor migrants in the Ruhr area and connects the former church space with plants, art, and neighborhood formats. At the same time, 23 participants are involved in St. Bonifatius, accompanied by Creative Mediator Gürsoy Doğtaş. This transforms the former church into a place of collective narratives where art, social space, and memory come together. Therefore, those wondering why this location is so prominently sought today will find the answer in this mix of authenticity, history, and new use: St. Bonifatius is not a decommissioned monument but a place that continuously transforms and reflects back on the urban space of Erle. ([rausgegangen.de](https://rausgegangen.de/events/manifesta-16-ruhr-st-bonifatius-1/))

Sources:

• Manifesta 16 Ruhr - St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Teegarten
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Manifesta 16 Ruhr establishes headquarters in Gelsenkirchen
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Manifesta 16 Ruhr / St. Bonifatius in Erle
• Urbane Künste Ruhr - Healing Complex
• Rausgegangen - Manifesta 16 Ruhr: Experience Art in St. Bonifatius