Diakonissenhaus Salem

Could a place built on faith withstand the storms of history? Here at Diakonissenhaus Salem in Lichtenrade, that question echoes through the decades. This former motherhouse of the Salem Deaconess Order, consecrated in 1906, stands as a testament to the enduring power of belief and service. Its story intertwines with the life of Cäcilie Petersen, a woman who dared to follow her calling despite opposition. Cäcilie, a trained nurse and former superintendent of the Magdalenenstift in Teltow, left her position in 1903 due to a dispute. She disagreed with the board’s decision to dismiss a deaconess without a proper hearing. Twenty-eight sisters joined her, seeking a new path. Their journey led them to Schloss Schedlau in Silesia, under the patronage of Eduard Graf von Pückler, a prominent figure in the German Gemeinschaftsbewegung. There, Cäcilie found her voice, preaching the Gospel despite initial reluctance. Returning to Berlin in 1904, Cäcilie purchased land in Lichtenrade from a farmer named Bochow. This marked the beginning of Diakonissenhaus Salem. The deaconess order grew quickly, reaching 70 members by the motherhouse’s consecration. The first chairperson was Frau von Beerfelde, former deputy chair at the Magdalenenstift. Pastor Johannes Hahn, who had supported Cäcilie in Teltow, also joined, serving as pastor for Diakonissenhaus Salem from 1917 to 1925. By 1931, the sisterhood had expanded to 680 members, their work spanning across Germany in healthcare and education. The Diakonissenhaus Salem became a haven not only for the sisters but also for the community. Cäcilie’s evangelical work extended beyond the deaconess order, establishing a local church community in Lichtenrade. The institution’s own church, part of the Kirchenkreis Kölln-Land II, kept records, had its own seal, and performed all church functions. The Diakonissenhaus expanded its reach, establishing a children’s and holiday home, “Haus Nazareth,” in Niendorf on the Baltic Sea in 1920. They even acquired a mission wagon in 1927 to spread their message in the less religious areas of Teltow. Diakonissenhaus Salem faced numerous challenges throughout its history. During the Nazi era, it served as a meeting point for the Confessing Church, offering a space for resistance. World War II brought further trials, with several buildings converted into military hospitals. After the war, Diakonissenhaus Salem found itself on the edge of the American sector, bordering the Soviet zone. Its undamaged buildings became a refuge for war refugees, but the division of Germany also divided the sisterhood, making gatherings impossible. The management of Diakonissenhaus Salem moved to Bad Gandersheim in 1960. The Lichtenrade property was sold in 1989, concluding a significant chapter in its history. Today, a daycare center occupies the former motherhouse. The legacy of Cäcilie Petersen and the Diakonissenhaus Salem, however, continues to resonate within these walls.