Did you know the Emmauskirche in Berlin boasts a unique organ? This isn’t just any instrument. It’s a fascinating blend of old and new. The Emmaus-Kirche a church in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. It stands proudly at Lausitzer Platz. This remarkable building has a rich and sometimes turbulent history.
The Emmaus-Kirche was built between 1890 and 1893. Architect August Orth designed it. He created a single-nave brick church. Its round arch style is quite distinctive. The original nave could seat over 2000 people. It was part of a larger complex including the Görlitzer Bahnhof. This station was also designed by Orth. The church’s grand entrance featured a stunning mosaic. It depicted Christ and the disciples at Emmaus. The inscription reads “Lord stay with us for it will be evening”. The mosaic was crafted by the German Glass Mosaic Society Puhl & Wagner. They were based in Rixdorf at the time. The Emmaus-Kirche’s consecration ceremony on August 27 1893 was a significant event. The royal court and cathedral choir performed.
Sadly World War II severely damaged the Emmaus-Kirche. On February 3 1945 an air raid ravaged the nave. Only the tower and its magnificent mosaic survived. Further damage led to demolition of parts of the church in 1949. Fear of collapse necessitated this drastic action. But the spirit of the Emmaus-Kirche endured.
Between 1957 and 1959 the nave was rebuilt. Werner von Walthausen oversaw this project. The new nave seats fewer people 500 to be precise. In the early 1990s the interior was redesigned. Wulf Eichstett was the architect behind this transformation.
The Emmaus-Kirche’s pipe organ is particularly special. It was built in 1960 by G A C de Graaf. Originally it was in Amsterdam’s Noach-Kerk. After that church was deconsecrated the organ found its home in the Emmaus-Kirche. The instrument was later expanded. It now features 22 registers on two manuals and a pedal. Twenty-four electronic registers were added between 2002 and 2004.
The Emmaus congregation merged with the nearby Mount of Olives congregation in 1995. Today the Emmaus-Kirche continues to serve its community. It hosts church services and concerts. It is also the central location for the annual Xjazz Festival. The Emmaus-Kirche is more than a place of worship. It is a vibrant hub for the community and the arts. This truly unique building stands as a testament to resilience. It also reflects the evolving spirit of Berlin itself.