Tranquil and timeless the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee stands before us. This church is not just a building. It is a landmark with a story etched in every stone. Its history goes back centuries. It has witnessed the ebb and flow of village life in Heiligensee.
The Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee’s story began around the end of the 15th century. Heiligensee was already known as a Kirchdorf in 1308. So, a wooden church likely stood here before this stone structure. Over the years the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee evolved. It was rebuilt and reshaped reflecting changing times and tastes.
In 1667, the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee took on a new form. This happened after a village fire necessitated major repairs. The present tower started construction with brick between 1707 and 1713. It wasn’t until 1761 that the tower received its baroque dome. The wind vane bears the year of this renewal.
Unlike many old village churches in Berlin and Brandenburg the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee lacks a fieldstone facade. Instead it features smooth plaster adorned with baroque and early classicist elements from the 18th century. This gives it a unique appearance among Berlin’s village churches.
Take a closer look at the church’s walls. You will see a mix of large fieldstones broken stones and bricks. These bricks are in the Klosterformat. This is a testament to the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee’s age and the various phases of its construction. The church’s design even suggests a planned vault for the interior. Strebepillars hint at this unfulfilled ambition.
Inside the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee, light streams through large 18th-century windows. This illuminates the interior. An interesting feature is the pulpit altar which likely dates back to the time of the tower’s construction. Notice the lack of figural decoration. This suggests the influence of a reformed community.
The Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee also holds treasures like the brass baptismal bowl. This piece dates to the 16th century. It miraculously survived looting by French soldiers in 1806.
Around the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee lies a small cemetery. Not far away are the Heiligensee lake and the Havel river. The church’s location highlights the close relationship between the village the water and faith.
In 1919 two cast steel bells were added to the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee. They were cast by the Bochumer Verein. Each bell carries an inscription. One says “Erz gab ich, Eisen nahm ich 1919” meaning “I gave ore, I took iron 1919”. The other says “Friede auf Erden 1919” meaning “Peace on Earth 1919”.
In 2011 a new organ was installed on the gallery of the Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee. Built by the Berliner Orgelbauwerkstatt Karl Schuke, it has 16 registers across two manuals and pedal.
The Dorfkirche Alt-Heiligensee continues to be a vital part of the community. It is a place of worship a historical landmark and a reminder of Heiligensee’s rich past. As we leave take one last look at this charming village church. Remember the centuries of history held within its walls.