Giesenkirchen

Giesenkirchen is a district in the city of Mönchengladbach in the eastern part of the Lower Rhine region, Germany. Up to 22 October 2009 it was a separate borough of Mönchengladbach. Previously it had been part of Rheydt, which was suburbanized with Mönchengladbach in 1975. On 30 June 2007, Giesenkirchen had 15,853 inhabitants. Of these, 9,130 lived in the district of Giesenkirchen-Mitte, 4,431 in Giesenkirchen-Nord and 2,292 in Schelsen.

The name Giesenkirchen was first recorded in 1150, in a deed now held in the historical archives of Cologne. This deed mentions the donation of a newly-cleared plot of land, the so-called Neubruchzehnt, made by the provost of St. Gereon in Cologne. The land was gifted to the church of Giesenkirchen under the condition that future small repairs to the roof and sacristy of the church would be paid for by the parishioners.

Until the start of the French occupation in October 1794, Giesenkirchen belonged to the Electorate of Cologne. Under French rule, the territorial boundaries were abolished.

In the election for District Council in September 2004, the CDUreached 43.3% (6 seats), the SPD 25.4% (3 seats), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) 4.7% (1 seat), The Greens 8.3% (1 seat) and the FWG 16.1% (2 seats) of the votes. For District Frank Boss (CDU) was elected.

As of 2009 the Council Members were Giesenkirchen North: Horst-Peter Vennen (SPD), Giesenkirchen-South: Ralf Kremer (CDU). From 2004 to 2009, the CDU in Giesenkirchen lost over 50% of their votes.

In 2000, Hans-Willi Körfges (SPD), a native of Giesenkirchen, became a member of the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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