Rising majestically before us stands the Auferstehungskirche Barmbek. This isn’t just any church. It’s a testament to resilience hope and the enduring spirit of a community. The Auferstehungskirche Barmbek in Hamburg Barmbek-Nord also known as the church on Tieloh has a rich history. For centuries Barmbek’s residents relied on nearby churches. During the Thirty Years’ War they were part of St Jacobi’s parish. In 1629 they were reassigned to St Georg’s. After 1885 St Gertrud’s Church in Uhlenhorst served Barmbek. Only in 1900 did Barmbek see its first church St Sophien’s a Catholic church. The Heiligengeistkirche consecrated in 1903 became the central church of the former village.
By 1913 about 20000 people lived in Nord-Barmbek. The church council deemed a new church necessary. They envisioned a complex combining a church and community hall with various rooms. The goal was to foster community building with services and youth programs. In June 1913 a plot at the corner of Tieloh and Hellbrookstrasse became available. Four architects were commissioned to create plans.
A jury including Wilhelm Emil Meerwein unanimously selected Camillo Gunther’s design. Gunther a 33-year-old architect at the time based his plan on the Wiesbaden program. His vision placed the church at the intersection of Tieloh and Hellbrookstrasse. The community hall with its steeply pitched gable was situated further north along Tieloh. Two slightly set-back parsonages would connect the buildings creating a unified ensemble.
Securing funding proved challenging. The initial request of 100000 marks was denied twice despite Barmbek having 108056 parishioners in 1914. Advocates and a petition ultimately succeeded. In September 1915 the synod approved 205000 marks. The architect’s military service during World War I added another hurdle. However the Senate’s military commission granted a postponement.
The foundation stone was laid on January 23 1916. The church was consecrated on May 16 1920. The community hall was only completed much later on December 2 1927. Remarkably the Auferstehungskirche Barmbek survived World War II unscathed. The nearby community hall however suffered significant damage.
The Auferstehungskirche Barmbek is a brick-clad concrete structure. It’s a round church with an attached apse. The dome consists of an inner flat dome and a high outer dome on concrete ribs. This supports the dome shell and the visible lantern in Baroque style housing the bells. The church seats 400 in the nave with another 230 in the gallery.
Richard Kuhl’s ceramic ornamentation adorns the exterior. This includes the inscription held by angels above the main portal. Sculptures of Melanchthon and Luther are above the entrance. A ceramic cross graces the main facade. The clock and portal surrounds also feature ceramic details. Half-reliefs on the balustrade depict scenes from the Bible. The church community hall connecting section parsonage and garden courtyard were added to Hamburg’s list of protected monuments in 2000.
Inside the church you will find a stunning natural stone pulpit. It’s a gift from former church council member Heinrich Dreckmann. An eagle and the inscription “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles” are on its front. The current paraments currently obscure them. The baptismal font made of artificial stone sits before the pulpit. Praying angel figures adorn two sides. A circular inscription “Know ye not that ye are the children of God?” is on the upper rim. A metal crown protects the font from impurities.
The altar too is made of artificial stone. The altarpiece is a mosaic by Axel Bunz. It depicts the road to Golgotha with three crosses and the Easter sun in the background. Light-colored buildings represent the temples and towers of Jerusalem. Below the altarpiece is a carved depiction of the Last Supper by Richard Kuhl. Inscriptions “Be reconciled to God” and “The love of Christ constrains us” flank it.
The Auferstehungskirche Barmbek stands as a symbol of faith and resilience a place where history echoes in every stone. It’s more than just a building. It’s a living testament to a community’s spirit.