A small bell rings. It calls the faithful to prayer. We are standing before the Heilig-Geist-Kirche. This Catholic church in Berlin’s Westend has a fascinating history.
The Heilig-Geist-Kirche found its home here in 1932. The Catholic parish of Heilig Geist was founded in 1922. The church is part of a two-winged complex. It includes a three-story community center. The ensemble is a protected monument.
Back in the 1920s, things were tough for Berlin’s Catholics. Bernhard Lichtenberg sought to improve their situation. He was the pastor of the Herz-Jesu-Kirche since 1913. He enlisted the Steyler Missionaries to establish a curacy in Westend.
The first service took place on July 2, 1922. It was held in the house chapel of the St. Elisabeth Sisters. This was in the eye clinic on Nussbaumallee 39. As the community grew, they moved. They used the chapel of St. Hildegard Hospital. The Steyler Missionary Sisters ran this hospital on Thüringer Allee 12.
Eventually, even that chapel became too small. A larger church was needed to alleviate the crowding. The plan was ambitious. It included apartment blocks, college buildings and a large community hall. A grand church was also planned. Initially, the community hall was to serve as a temporary church. This would last until the main church was completed on the east side of the property.
By 1932, much of the complex was finished. This included the apartment blocks, the college, and the temporary church. However, the grand church never materialized. Funds simply ran out. The altar of the temporary church wasn’t consecrated by the bishop. In 1936, the Heilig Geist parish became independent.
The Heilig-Geist-Kirche building has unique features. The lower part of the brickwork is clad in clinker. The upper part is plastered. A flight of steps leads to the entrance. The entrance hall is located in the squat tower. The tower is placed laterally in front of the nave. The church facade lacks windows. The cubic tower has round sound openings. The entrance hall and the room above have round windows on the sides.
Inside, the church resembles a basilica. This is mainly due to the design of the ceiling area. Yet, it functions as a hall church without pillars. The nave has a steel skeleton structure. It features a 28° pitched gable roof. Steel roof trusses span the entire room without supports. The flat ceiling is drawn into the roof space. This creates the illusion of a central nave. Lower suspended ceilings suggest side aisles.
The Heilig-Geist-Kirche has undergone several renovations. The first was after damage in World War II. The church was cleared on October 6, 1947. Sunday services moved to the community hall. The solemn entry back into the church occurred on March 21, 1948. A planned mural behind the altar was missing. It was meant to replace the bronze Trinity from 1932. The light shaft lacked cathedral glass. The windows were mostly covered with plywood.
Later, a large extension was added for the sacristy. A new side room was created. The Chapel of Mary was added behind the entrance area.
A third renovation aimed to improve the church’s acoustics. Architects Oskar and Erika Reith led the project. They sought to create a space that inspires the human spirit. The removal of choir structures opened the altar area. The altar and ambo were designed to correspond with each other. The expansion improved acoustics for musical performances. New stained glass windows were installed.
A small bronze bell hangs in the tower. It weighs 210 kg. Cast in 1927, it bears the inscription “UT OMNES UNUM SINT!” It means “That all may be one”. The Heilig-Geist-Kirche continues to evolve. It adapts to the needs of its community.
The old organ was sold during renovations. A new organ was built in 1990 by Rieger Orgelbau. It has approximately 2000 pipes. It features 28 registers across two manuals and a pedal. A Zimbelstern adds to its unique sound.