Remembered for its unique design, the Auferstehungskirche in Hamburg-Barmbek-Nord stands as a testament to faith and architectural innovation. This church also known as Kirche am Tieloh. It serves as the heart of the Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirchengemeinde Nord-Barmbek.
For centuries, the Barmbek community relied on neighboring churches. They were first assigned to St. Jacobi in 1629 and later to St. Georg. As Barmbek grew, St. Gertrud in Hamburg-Uhlenhorst became their church home after 1885. The first church within Barmbek, St. Sophien, wasn’t established until 1900. The Heiligengeistkirche followed in 1903.
Around 1913, leaders recognized the need for a new church in Nord-Barmbek where about 20000 people lived. They envisioned a combined church and community center. This would foster community through lectures and youth programs. A plot at Tieloh and Hellbrookstrasse was secured in June 1913. Four architects were invited to submit designs.
Camillo Günther, a young architect, won the competition. His design placed the Auferstehungskirche at the Tieloh/Hellbrookstrasse intersection. The community center with its steep gable would sit further north on Tieloh. Two parsonages would connect the buildings creating a unified ensemble.
Funding proved difficult. Despite Barmbek having over 108000 church members in 1914 served only by the small Heiligengeistkirche, initial funding requests were denied. Persistence and a petition finally secured approval for 205000 Mark in September 1915. Even war-related complications couldn’t stop the project. Günther was temporarily released from military duty. The cornerstone was laid on January 23, 1916. The Auferstehungskirche was consecrated on May 16, 1920. The community center followed on December 2, 1927. The church miraculously survived the extensive destruction of Barmbek during World War II. However the community center was badly damaged.
The Auferstehungskirche is a brick-clad concrete structure. It features a round church design with an added altar niche. The dome consists of an inner flat dome and a high outer dome. Concrete ribs support the outer dome. The Baroque-style lantern atop holds the bells. Inside, the Auferstehungskirche accommodates 400 people in the nave and 230 on the gallery.
Ceramic decorations by Richard Kuöhl add artistic flair. These include an inscription held by angels over the main portal. Also included are busts of Melanchthon and Luther over the entrance and a ceramic cross on the main facade. The clock, portal frames and biblical reliefs on the balustrade complete the exterior.
In 2000, the entire ensemble including the church, community hall, connecting tract, parsonage, and garden courtyard was added to Hamburg’s list of protected monuments.
Inside, the pulpit made of natural stone, was a gift from Heinrich Dreckmann. An eagle and inscription are on the front. The inscription reads: Die auf den Herrn harren, kriegen neue Kraft, dass sie auffahren mit Flügeln wie Adler.
The art stone baptismal font features praying angels and an inscription. It says: Wisset ihr nicht, welches Geistes Kinder ihr seid? A crowned metal lid protects the font.
The altar is made of artificial stone. The mosaic altar image by Axel Bünz depicts the path to Golgotha. Three crosses and the Easter sun are shown along with Jerusalem’s temples and towers. Richard Kuöhl’s limewood carving of the Last Supper is below the altar image.
An inscription to the right of the altar commemorates victims of war. Ralph Giordano’s 2008 visit led to a second inscription on the church’s south wall, expanding the circle of remembrance.
The Auferstehungskirche’s Walcker organ, built in 1924, is one of the region’s largest and most valuable. It has undergone several modifications. The organ boasts around 2600 pipes in 38 registers across three manuals and a pedal.
Two Bochumer Verein bells made of steel reside in the church tower. Tuned to D and F, they create a D-F-A chord when rung. The Auferstehungskirche stands as a proud symbol of faith, resilience, and community in Hamburg-Barmbek-Nord.