Perhaps it’s the solid, closed form that first strikes you about the Evangelische Weihnachtskirche. It stands in Berlin’s Haselhorst district. This protected church exemplifies how Neoclassicism was applied to sacred buildings in the 20th century.
The Evangelische Weihnachtskirche is located in the Spandau district. It is positioned at Haselhorster Damm. The Saatwinkler Damm flows into it. This creates a triangular plot near the Berlin-Spandau shipping canal.
Constructed between 1934 and 1935, the Weihnachtskirche embodies the architectural vision of Erich Bohne. The church presents itself as interconnected cubic structures. Note the clean lines. They define its exterior.
Originally, the church hall featured slender windows and a gently sloping hipped roof. You would enter through a vestibule. A slender campanile connects the vestibule to the other parts of the building. Waldemar Otto’s sculpture stands on the front square. It depicts the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt.
Significant alterations occurred between 1965 and 1966. Georg Lichtfuß directed this transformation. These changes altered the Weihnachtskirche’s appearance. The clear order of the church hall’s facades was lost. The interior was rotated. An altar niche with exposed concrete was added. A brick-clad gallery extension faces the courtyard. The original furnishings were replaced. New principal pieces by Hans-Joachim Burgert were added. The windows are the work of Sigmund Hahn.
The Weihnachtskirche was meant to be inaugurated on Christmas Day. But the inauguration took place on Epiphany, January 6, 1935. The Weihnachtskirche was still allowed to keep its intended name.
Inside the Weihnachtskirche you can find an organ. The organ was originally built in 1913. G. F. Steinmeyer & Co. built it for the Schützenhaussaal in Meiningen. It included a mobile console. Karl Straube inaugurated the instrument on April 19, 1914. He played pieces by Reger, Liszt, and Bach. The disposition shows features of the Alsatian organ reform. The disposition goes back to the collaboration between Steinmeyer and Max Reger. In 1937, the community bought the Max Reger organ for 8,500 Reichsmark.
The Christian Scheffler organ workshop restored the organ in 2006 and 2007. They removed additions from the 1960s. The console was rewired. The instrument has 42 stops on three manuals and pedals. The action is electro-pneumatic.
Three bronze bells hang in the belfry. Feldmann & Marschel cast them in 1957.
The Haselhorst Weihnachtskirchengemeinde belongs to the Spandau church district. At the time of the church’s construction, it was part of the St. Nikolai parish in Spandau. The construction became necessary because of the rapid growth. This was due to the settlement of companies like Siemens, Halske, Osram, Motard and BMW.
The Weihnachtskirchengemeinde gained its independence in July 1938. At that time, the Nazi German Christians shaped the community. They even removed the crucifix from the church. The reason was that Jesus was Jewish. Many Haselhorsters belonged to the opposing Confessing Church. They attended services by Superintendent Martin Albertz in the St. Nikolai Church in Spandau.
By 1982, the community had grown to 10,000 members. A community center had already been built in 1962. An additional base was built on Gorgasring in 1966. Today, the number of community members has fallen to 2,700. A clergyman looks after the community. The community celebrated the 75th anniversary of the erection on June 10, 2010.
As you leave the Evangelische Weihnachtskirche reflect on its history. Think about its architectural transitions. Consider the community it has served. The Evangelische Weihnachtskirche remains a landmark. It connects the past with the present in Haselhorst.