Auferstehungskirche

Gazing at the Auferstehungskirche, have you ever imagined worshipping beneath a crusader’s tent? This unique church, nestled in Freiburg’s Littenweiler district, evokes just that image. The Auferstehungskirche, meaning “Resurrection Church,” was brought to life in 1961-1962 by architects Herbert Dörr and Klaus Gottschall. Its circular design, actually a dodecagon, is formed by twelve concrete double pillars. These pillars, supporting the roof, symbolize the sturdy poles of a tent. The white, non-load-bearing walls between them mimic the canvas of a tent. Vibrant stained-glass ribbons, crafted by Kurt Frank and cast by Kunstglaserei Böcherer, stretch from floor to ceiling between the pillars. These windows, starting with dark blues and grays near the entrance, transition to bright reds and yellows by the altar. This progression symbolizes the journey from Passion to Resurrection. Above the entrance, a gallery holds a 1967 Willi Peter organ. This organ, boasting 24 registers, two manuals, and a pedal, underwent a thorough renovation in 2018 by Freiburger Orgelbau Späth. The Auferstehungskirche’s “tower” is truly a bell bearer. Two 29-meter concrete slabs, leaning towards each other, support an open steel bell cage. Five bells reside within this cage. A transparent steel spiral staircase between the slabs provides access. Even the bells themselves have names. They are the Resurrection Bell, the Grace Bell, the Confidence Bell, the Peace Bell, and the Homeland Bell. Their chimes harmonize with those of the neighboring St. Barbara Catholic Church. The Auferstehungskirche isn’t just a building. It’s a symbol of hope and resurrection, a modern testament to faith.