Painted a striking carmine red, the Neuapostolische Kirche Dresden-Süd stands before us. It is more than just a building. It represents a community’s hopes and dreams. Let’s uncover its story.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Dresden-Süd found its new home on Pirnaer Landstraße 179. The church was consecrated in December 2022. Before this, the congregation worshipped in Pirna. The new building is the work of architect Olaf Reiter. He is a Dresden native. This was the first church he designed.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Nord- und Ostdeutschlands commissioned the building. They specifically sought Reiter. He is a specialist in ecological construction. He has experience in wood and loam rendering. The aim was to create a sustainable wooden structure. It would be a structure that reflects the idea of preserving creation.
The church boasts an extraordinary design. A dome rises above a circular structure. It tapers upwards like a tent. Twelve rafters support the dome. These become smaller towards the top. These glued wooden beams curve in two directions.
Natural light floods the space. It enters through a circular skylight. Reiter drew inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome. He conducted experiments at the Donau University in Krems. He tested whether the skylight would provide enough light. The tests used an artificial sky in a light laboratory.
Colored windows add to the ambiance. They feature sacred motifs. They run like a band around the church. This band sits above the loam rendered walls. It sits beneath the dome. A red beam of light shines through the church at noon. The number twelve is a recurring motif. It symbolizes completeness.
The church faced rising prices and supply issues during construction. The four German regional churches shared the cost. They contribute to a joint funding pool. The Neuapostolische Kirche has approximately 316000 members in Germany.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Dresden-Süd is also home to a special organ. The organ has almost 1000 pipes. It was built in 1969. Before finding its place here, it stood in the church’s previous location in Pirna. The congregation wanted to keep the instrument. They valued its sound.
Roland Martschei and Michael Friedel installed the organ. They are experts from the organ workshop of the Neuapostolische Kirche Nord- und Ostdeutschland. Adjusting the organ to the new space was not easy. The wooden dome posed acoustic challenges. Martschei and Friedel tuned each pipe meticulously. Each pipe was handled up to seven times. They adjusted the sound to suit the building’s acoustics.
The Gemeinde celebrated the organ’s arrival with music and lectures. The church offers regular Sunday services. Around 120 active members attend. They come from Pirna and southern Dresden. The Neuapostolische Kirche Dresden-Süd is more than bricks and mortar. It is a testament to faith, community and sustainable design. It blends tradition with innovation. It offers a unique space for worship and reflection.