Haus Gotteshilfe

In 1896, a spark ignited in the heart of Berlin’s Rixdorf district. This spark, a newfound faith in Jesus Christ, led to the creation of Haus Gotteshilfe. The initial gatherings took place in a humble apartment on what is now Kienitzer Straße. The group quickly outgrew this space and moved to a former carpentry workshop. This workshop stood on a site now shared by Werbellinstraße 11. In 1900, twelve individuals came together with a shared vision: to build a dedicated house of worship. This marked the true beginning of Haus Gotteshilfe. Within a year, the community flourished. A Sunday school, a women’s bible study group, a general bible discussion group, and a choir were established. They even started a branch of the Blue Cross temperance movement to address the pervasive issue of alcoholism. Two parish nurses supported these growing groups. By 1902, they formally registered Haus Gotteshilfe and secured land for their own building. Just a year later, in 1903, Haus Gotteshilfe was inaugurated. The church gained a charming nickname, the “Schrippenkirche,” or “Roll Church.” This came about because children attending Sunday school received a roll each week. World War I saw the introduction of prayer meetings at Haus Gotteshilfe. In 1919, a youth group for Decisive Christianity (EC) was formed. The building suffered significant damage from air raids in 1943 and 1944. Through the dedicated efforts of its members, Haus Gotteshilfe was painstakingly restored. It was rededicated in 1948. The main hall, as we see it today, was constructed in 1957. Throughout its history, the community at Haus Gotteshilfe has held onto their belief: they have a God who helps. This unwavering faith is reflected in the enduring name, “Haus Gotteshilfe,” which translates to “House of God’s Help.”