Imagine a modern sanctuary rising from the Lietzensee’s western slope. That is the Kirche am Lietzensee. This church stands as a testament to resilience. It embodies modern architecture. The Kirche am Lietzensee has a rich history. The congregation dates back to 1913. They originally met as part of the Charlottenburg church. They were known as Epiphanien II. In 1915, they became Kirchengemeinde am Lietzensee.
Before World War I, the community dreamed of a large church. The war and subsequent hardship thwarted their plans. In 1920, they built a temporary church. It was a timber-framed structure designed by Erich Blunck. This “emergency church” accommodated 800 worshippers. In 1929, Heinrich Straumer added a bell tower. Straumer also designed the community center, which opened in 1931.
During World War II, the original church was destroyed. Only the community center was salvaged. It was restored by 1951. In the early 1950s, the congregation cleared the remains. They decided to construct a new house of worship. This new church was completed in 1959.
Paul Baumgarten designed the Kirche am Lietzensee. The church features a unique pentagonal layout. It nestles into the Lietzensee’s slope. The vestry and community rooms are in the building’s basement level. The main sanctuary can hold 700 people.
The entrance facade is trapezoidal. It slopes gently inward. Above, a concrete facade stretches across the building’s width. An open, horizontal belfry crowns the structure. It houses three bells. The smallest bell survived the war. It was from the original 1929 tower. In 1959, Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock cast two new bells.
Inside the Kirche am Lietzensee, the sanctuary feels like a tent. It has no supporting pillars. The walls and ceiling are clad with larch wood. Solnhofen limestone tiles cover the floor. The floor slopes gently towards the altar. The altar is slightly elevated. A vibrant cross made of colored glass and metal hangs above. In 1963, a Karl Schuke organ was installed. It features 34 registers and 2,134 pipes.
The Kirche am Lietzensee stands as a protected monument. It is a beacon of faith and architectural innovation. Its modern design and serene lakeside setting offer solace. It is a testament to Berlin’s enduring spirit.