Cologne Cathedral

About Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 and was halted in 1473, leaving it unfinished. Work restarted in the 19th century and was completed to the original plan in 1880. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires. It is 144.5 meters long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall. The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II but did not collapse. Repairs were completed in 1956. Today, it is constantly maintained by a dedicated team of stonemasons and other craftspeople to address the effects of weather and pollution.

Current Needs

• Restoration of the western facade
• Preservation of stained glass windows
• Community outreach programs
• Maintenance of the pipe organ
• Youth ministry funding