What if I told you this unassuming building houses a hidden gem? It’s the Institutskirche St. Afra. Many pass by Graunstrasse 31 without realizing its secret. Let’s uncover the story of this unique church.
Institutskirche St. Afra isn’t your typical grand cathedral. Its history is interwoven with Berlin’s social fabric. It stands in what was once a working-class district. The area was known for social housing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The church’s location reflects a time when Catholics had to be discreet. Unlike the grand Lutheran churches, Institutskirche St. Afra was built modestly. It was constructed in a building courtyard. This gave it the feel of a monastery cloister.
In 1897 and 1898, the Grey Sisters of St. Elizabeth built a refuge here. It was named after St. Afra. She was a reformed prostitute and martyr. The complex included a convent and women’s home. It wasn’t originally intended to be a public church.
Take a closer look at the building’s facade. You will notice a slightly raised gable. An empty space waits for a statue of Our Lady. The sign reads St Afra Presbytery. It hints at more than just apartments.
The Institut St. Philipp Neri acquired St. Afra in 2006. They purchased the church for 450000 Euro. They later bought the surrounding buildings in 2008. The Institute is a traditionalist group. It celebrates the liturgy in the Roman Rite. This follows the Missale Romanum of 1962.
The facade differs from the surrounding apartment buildings. A risalit features North German Brick Gothic elements. Loggias and balconies flank it. A niche in the center once held a statue. Above the roofline, a stepped gable displays tracery.
Inside, the three-aisled hall church features a cross-ribbed vault. Above the vault, another story once housed residents of the refuge. Vaulted galleries with tracery balustrades line the three bays. Small polygonal chapels sit at the ends of the side aisles. Large tracery windows in the chancel brighten the interior. A crypt lies beneath the chancel.
The church houses neo-Gothic figures and side altars from its early days. It also contains relics of Saint Siméon-François Berneux.
Originally, the church had a Dinse organ. It was built in 1898. It was removed and now resides in Fröndenberg. Today, St. Afra boasts a William Hill organ from 1869. It was originally built for a church in England. After being restored, it was installed here in 2014. The Internationale Hill-Orgel-Tage take place in St. Afra annually.
Institutskirche St. Afra is more than bricks and mortar. It embodies faith and history. It is a Catholic oasis in the heart of Berlin. The Institutskirche St. Afra continues to fulfill its purpose. It is a place for mass and Catholic life.