Ever wonder what a modern take on a biblical symbol looks like? The Auferstehung in Freiburg is more than just a church. It is a statement in concrete and colored light.
The Auferstehung is located in the Littenweiler district. This evangelical church is a key part of the Freiburg-Ost parish. Built in 1961-62, the Auferstehung was designed by architects Herbert Dörr and Klaus Gottschall. Its unique design has earned it a place on Baden-Württemberg’s list of cultural monuments.
The Auferstehung is known for being a reliably open church. This welcoming aspect is part of its identity. The church’s design is a central building with a detached bell tower. Its circular shape is actually a twelve-sided figure. The design is meant to evoke a crusader tent. Twelve concrete double supports hold up the roof. They symbolize the tent poles. White, non-supporting walls fill the spaces between. These resemble the tent walls. Bands of colored windows stretch from floor to ceiling between the supports. Above the side walls a clear band of windows runs below the ceiling.
Inside, the Auferstehung faces northeast toward the altar. The bands of colored light were created by artist Kurt Frank. They were cast by the Bœcherer glassworks. These windows symbolize the path from passion to resurrection. Dark blues and grays near the entrance shift to bright reds and yellows near the altar.
Above the entrance, a gallery holds an organ. This organ was built in 1967 by Willi Peter’s workshop. It features 24 registers across two manuals and a pedal. In 2018, the Freiburger Orgelbau Späth workshop thoroughly renovated the organ.
The freestanding tower is more of a bell support. Two 29-meter-high concrete slabs stand at an angle to each other. At the top, they hold an open steel bell frame. Five bells hang here. A transparent steel spiral staircase between the slabs allows access to the bells. To enter the church, one must walk between these concrete slabs.
The bells of the Auferstehung are tuned to match the neighboring St. Barbara Catholic Church. The largest bell is the Auferstehungsglocke. It weighs 1260 kg and its strike tone is es². Other bells include the Gnadenglocke, the Zuversichtsglocke, the Friedensglocke and the Heimatglocke.
So as you stand before the Auferstehung, consider its unique blend of symbolism and architecture. It’s a place where light and structure tell a story of faith. The Auferstehung is a testament to Freiburg’s rich cultural and religious landscape.