A fire ravaged this place. Yet here we stand before the Evangelische Jeremia-Kirchengemeinde. Its story is one of resilience. This church wasn’t just a building. It was the heart of a community.
The Evangelische Jeremia-Kirchengemeinde was dedicated on September 27 1964. Architect Bodo Fleischer designed it. It was part of a larger community center. The buildings were a mix of steel and brick. They were built in the style of post-war modernism. The church’s unique hexagonal shape is striking. This design reflected a deliberate choice. Fleischer envisioned the complex as a farmstead. Several buildings surrounded a central courtyard. The hexagonal motif repeated itself throughout.
The community needed this center. The growing Falkenhagener Feld needed a new church. The existing church in Klosterfelde was too small. The cornerstone was laid on April 30 1963. The community became independent on January 1 1967. They initially called themselves the Kirchengemeinde am Falkenhagener Feld. Later they chose Jeremiah as their patron saint hence the name Evangelische Jeremia-Kirchengemeinde.
The church wasn’t alone. It worked closely with the Evangelische Zufluchtskirchengemeinde. They even shared a church council from 2016. In 2017 the two congregations merged. They became the Evangelische Zuflucht-und-Jeremia Kirchengemeinde.
Sadly a fire destroyed much of the church in September 2020. The fire burned for two and a half days. The high heating costs previously prevented proper insulation. This made the church vulnerable. Yet despite this devastating event. Reconstruction is planned. Essential parts survived. There’s hope for the Evangelische Jeremia-Kirchengemeinde. They expect a one year delay in completion.
Before the fire the church was a beautiful space. It had a unique hexagonal floor plan. The altar stood before the east wall. A high cross stood near it. The west wall held the organ loft. The walls were clad in bricks. The interior was plastered. A high gabled roof capped the structure. Its exposed wooden beams were a remarkable sight. Window bands ran beneath the eaves. A bronze Jeremiah sculpture by Waldemar Otto stood before the church.
The Evangelische Jeremia-Kirchengemeinde. It is a story of growth setbacks and perseverance. It symbolizes hope and renewal. It’s a testament to community spirit.