Nestled in Berlin’s Lichtenberg borough stands the Tabor Church. It is a testament to time and faith. This church is not just a building. It is a story etched in stone and brick. Its history spans centuries. It reflects the changing tides of religion and society.
Tabor Church’s origins trace back to the 13th century. Around 1230 the church emerged. This predates the first written records of Hohenschönhausen village itself. The oldest part of the church is the choir. It was built in the late 13th century. Granite ashlars form its Romanesque style. A rib vault ceilings this ancient space.
In 1352, the church played an unexpected role in local politics. Heinrich Billerbeck was the parson. He exposed a fraud. A man claimed to be the late Waldemar. Waldemar was the Great of Brandenburg. He had been declared dead in 1320.
Around 1450, the prayer hall was added. It features two naves. Simple boulders form its walls. A vaulted roof is supported by a central square pier. About 1470, a half-timbered tower rose on the church’s southern side. The von Röbel family became important patrons in 1480. They held the ius patronatus to the church. This gave them certain rights over the church.
The 16th century brought religious change. In 1539, Prince Elector Joachim II Hector converted to Lutheranism. The Tabor Church followed suit. It became a Lutheran church.
The Thirty Years’ War took its toll. In 1626, Swedish troops and the Imperial Army ravaged Hohenschönhausen. They plundered the Tabor Church. The community suffered greatly. Only a few families survived.
The church underwent constant changes. In 1615, the tower was completely rebuilt. More repairs and renovations occurred every century. In 1714, the spire was replaced. A domed top with a weathervane was added. Adam Ebersbach a merchant, became the church’s patron in 1736. He financed a renovation in 1738.
Under Frederick the Great mulberry trees were planted. These trees were for silk production. Schoolchildren collected leaves for this project.
During the Seven Years’ War soldiers looted the church. They stole anything of value. In 1817, the Lutheran congregation joined the Evangelical Church in Prussia. In 1905, the church was renovated and renamed Tabor Church. The name “village church” remained in use.
The Second World War spared the church. In 1945 Hohenschönhausen fell into the Soviet-controlled Eastern Sector of Berlin. In 1952, the domed top of the tower was removed. There was a shortage of construction material. The south tower has remained a stump ever since.
Inside, the Tabor Church holds treasures. The original altar is now in the Märkisches Museum. In 1924, the church received a wooden altar from Berlin-Wartenberg. The pulpit dates to the early 17th century. It is decorated with diamond-styled Herms pilasters. A christening bowl from 1671 displays the von Röbel family arms. The organ loft features carvings and the same family’s arms. Sculptures of female saints from around 1430 also adorn the space.
Today, the Tabor Church stands as a symbol of resilience. It has witnessed centuries of change. It remains a place of worship and community. Its walls hold stories of faith, war, and renewal. Take a moment to appreciate its enduring presence.