Here stands St. Christophorus Kirche its tower a solid testament to faith. This Catholic church in Berlin-Neukölln has a story etched in its very bricks. Today we will delve into that.
St. Christophorus Kirche’s history began with a growing Catholic population. Back in the 19th century locals held services in private homes. The community needed dedicated spaces. St. Clara was built first then St. Eduard. But even these weren’t enough.
By 1913 plans arose for a church near Richardplatz. World War I halted those dreams. Inflation further destroyed the funds collected. Only the financial aid of a larger church association made construction possible.
Carl Kühn designed St. Christophorus Kirche. Construction started in 1929 but the global economic crisis slowed progress. A planned building next to the church never materialized due to money problems.
Finally in 1932 St. Christophorus Kirche was consecrated. The church officially became a community. At first it was a subsidiary of St. Clara. In 1934 it became a curacy and then a parish in 1940.
World War II inflicted heavy damage on St. Christophorus Kirche. Restoration took time but by 1955 the repairs were complete. The church organ was expanded and modernized.
The architecture blends styles. It is a basilica without a transept. A mighty tower acts as a transverse element. The exterior shows neo-Romanesque influences. The interior reflects expressionism. Red bricks cover the building. Community rooms sit under the nave due to the sloping ground.
Inside the nave stretches 25.66 meters long and 14 meters wide. Arcades run along the sides. The ceiling soars 14.70 meters high. Light streams through clerestory windows.
Kühn originally envisioned an expressionistic tower. He later changed it incorporating neo-Romanesque features. The 35-meter-high tower dominates the facade. It is slightly off-center. This adds to its unique character. The tower incorporates the five-story parsonage. An open porch with two portals leads into a hall used as a weekday church. Above the hall the tower houses apartments.
Originally four bronze bells harmonized with the nearby Nikodemuskirche. The Gebrüder Ulrich foundry cast them in 1931. Each bell was named after local churches like St. Clara St. Eduard and St. Richard. The bells rang until 1942. They were then removed for war purposes. New bronze bells were installed in 1957.
Over time the church’s interior changed. Pews came from St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale. Reinhard Hofbauer created the baptismal font. After the war Stations of the Cross and figures of saints were added. A large baroque crucifix and a gilded tabernacle were installed. The depiction of St. Christopher in the altar area no longer exists. The statue of the church’s patron saint now stands in the tower hall. It came from a sculpture workshop.
Today St. Christophorus Kirche stands as a welcoming space. It offers moments of peace in the Reuterkiez district. Its doors are open to all. The church continues to be a vital part of the community.