Unassuming yet captivating that’s the Friedenskirche. Right here in Freiburg’s Oberau district stands this remarkable church. Built in 1951 it’s a testament to post-war rebuilding. Architect Alfred Giese designed it. He hailed from Hamburg a city known for its red brick architecture. This explains the Friedenskirche’s unique style for the region. It’s a style quite surprising in the Freiburg landscape.
The church is more than just bricks and mortar though. It’s a symbol of peace a quiet sanctuary. Notice the simple yet elegant lines. The red clinker bricks are striking. They’re unplastered a testament to the building’s honesty. The church is a hall design. Its east-west orientation is practical and symbolic.
Look closer. The tower sits at the northeast corner. Its tent roof is a distinctive detail. The interior mirrors the exterior’s simplicity. The open roof trusses are painted in green and red hues. The stained-glass windows offer a soft yellowish light. Behind the altar hangs a large crucifix. This wasn’t just any crucifix. It’s the work of Kurt Lehmann a metal sculptor from Staufen im Breisgau.
The altar also features nine blue paper sculptures. These are quite unusual. They were created by Wilhelm Morat. His work came from a competition. He’s a noteworthy artist from Neustadt im Schwarzwald. The Friedenskirche is a living space. Its community rooms were originally home to a kindergarten. Today a modern addition ‘Haus Kunterbunt’ houses the children’s program. The vicarage is nearby. It’s also built of red brick. However modern insulation hides this fact.
The church’s organ is special too. It’s a Schuke organ. It was originally in the Pauluskirche another church in Freiburg. After extensive renovation it now graces the Friedenskirche’s rear gallery. The church even has four bronze bells. These bells were cast in 1951 by the Bachert bell foundry in Karlsruhe.
The Friedenskirche may not be grand or opulent. Its beauty lies in its unassuming elegance. It’s a tranquil space built with care. It reflects the spirit of its community. This simple structure carries within it a deep and meaningful story. A story of peace resilience and faith. A story you are now part of.