Beneath this unassuming exterior lies a story of resilience. This is the Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow. It stands as the fifth church to grace this very spot in Berlin.
Let’s step back in time. The first church here was noted in 1541. It was simply mentioned as a “branch” of Wilmerstorff. This humble beginning met a fiery end. It likely burned down during the Thirty Years’ War.
In 1655, a new church was dedicated. As Charlottenburg grew, the church was assigned to the Charlottenburg district in 1708. The pastor of Luisenkirche also became the pastor for Lietzow. Despite repairs in 1803 and 1821, a major rebuild was needed by the 1840s.
Friedrich August Stüler designed a reconstruction. From 1848 to 1850, Julius Manger oversaw the transformation. The Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow gained twin bell towers. A vestibule and chancel were added in the neo-Gothic style. However, the interior remained largely unchanged.
By the early 1900s, Charlottenburg’s population boomed. More church space was needed. Jürgen Kröger won a design competition. In 1910-1911, the old church was torn down. A new neo-Baroque church was built. It held 900 seats and featured a single bell tower. This grand structure met a tragic fate. On November 22, 1943, during World War II, bombs destroyed it.
The current Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow arose from the ashes. Architect Ludolf von Walthausen designed the new complex. Construction took place from 1960 to 1961. It was consecrated on October 8, 1961. The design includes a tent-shaped main building. A small bell tower and community center complete it. A covered walkway connects the buildings. The main building, resembling a simple house with a gabled roof, has 300 seats. The adjacent community center offers a hall with 185 seats.
Inside the Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow, you’ll find a modern altar and pulpit. A Walcker organ sits on the east gallery. A remarkable baptismal font dates back to 1599. Gideon Freise, a court glazier, donated it to the church. Removed during the 1863 rebuild, it resurfaced in the Märkisches Museum. In 2006, after restoration, it returned to Alt-Lietzow.
However, a new chapter awaits the Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow. In March 2022, the church council decided to close the buildings by 2024. Declining membership and high costs prompted this decision.
Despite its uncertain future, the Evangelische Kirche Alt-Lietzow remains a landmark. It is a testament to faith, destruction, and rebirth. Take a moment to appreciate its simple beauty and ponder its rich history. It connects us to the village of Alt-Lietzow, which forms the very beginning of Charlottenburg.