Amidst the bustling streets of Borsigwalde, stands the Gnade-Christi-Kirche. It’s a modern structure that replaced a more humble predecessor. This story is about resilience, faith, and the ever-evolving spirit of the Gnade-Christi-Kirche Borsigwalde. The original congregation of Borsigwalde gained independence in 1925, breaking away from the Wittenau Dorfkirche. Their dream was to build a church of their own. However, the post-World War I inflation had wiped out their building funds. Undeterred, they purchased a simple barack in 1928 and transformed it into a makeshift church, adding a small ridge turret and a vestibule. This simple structure served the community for over four decades. The final service in the old barack church was held on April 11, 1969. The building was then demolished to make way for a new beginning. The Gnade-Christi-Kirche Borsigwalde we see today was built alongside a youth center and kindergarten, both designed by the same architect, Hansrudolf Plarre. The foundation stone was laid on November 8, 1969. The church was inaugurated on December 20, 1970, and officially named Gnade-Christi-Kirche on December 4, 1973. The Gnade-Christi-Kirche is a square central-plan building, constructed with an exposed concrete skeleton. The flat roof is hidden behind an attic formed by the upper beams. The whitewashed walls and strategically placed windows create a calm, evenly lit space. The main sanctuary and the community hall are connected by large doors, allowing for a flexible use of space. Within the Gnade-Christi-Kirche, a small chapel serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering and loss caused by war. Accessible from both outside and inside the church, this space offers a place for quiet contemplation. Inside, a niche shaped like a cross houses a Corpus Christi. Interestingly, the interior of the square church is oriented diagonally. The altar, pulpit, ambo, and organ are positioned to the east, fostering a closer connection between the congregation and the liturgical elements. A copper baptismal font, forged by Hans-Dieter Stage, is prominently placed near the center. Above the altar in the winter church hangs the crucifix from the old barack church, a work by woodcarver Ernst Gustav Jaeger. The church’s two-manual organ, with 23 registers, was built by Dieter Noeske in two stages, 1970 and 1978. As you approach the Gnade-Christi-Kirche, you’ll pass through a striking campanile formed by two concrete slabs. It houses three bronze bells cast by Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock, their inscriptions commemorating the community’s history and benefactors. To the side of the campanile lies a small cemetery dating back to 1945, a further testament to the resilience of this community. The Gnade-Christi-Kirche Borsigwalde stands as a symbol of hope and renewal. It is a place where history and modernity intertwine, where the spirit of faith has persevered through challenging times.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in