Fifteen thousand thalers A king’s wish A remarkable story unfolds before us at the Kirche am Stölpchensee. This isn’t just any church. It’s a testament to Prussian ambition and architectural prowess. Look closely. You’re standing before a building steeped in history. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV envisioned a church that would grace the landscape. He didn’t want a simple village church. He wanted something grand. Something that would inspire awe.
The original church was a humble medieval structure. It served the village of Stolpe for centuries. However by the mid-19th century it was beyond repair. It was deemed unsafe and ultimately demolished. Services were then held in the local school. But a new church was desperately needed.
The king’s initial plan for the Kirche am Stölpchensee was modest. His architect however disregarded this plan. Instead Friedrich August Stüler created a masterpiece. Stüler was the director of Prussian court and state building. He designed a striking building in a neo-Romanesque style. The imposing square tower resembles a donjon. This is not the typical style for a rural church. The king’s influence is clear. The Kirche am Stölpchensee is far grander than originally intended. The king paid the extra costs.
The yellow brick facade is striking. Parts of the older church’s walls were incorporated into the new structure. Notice the polygonal shape of the transepts and choir. The three apse-like projections add beauty. The neo-Gothic pinnacles on the tower are a curious addition. They don’t quite fit the Romanesque style. Yet they add a unique touch.
Inside the church’s interior is largely original. The sandstone pulpit is adorned with statues of the Evangelists. A late Gothic crucifixion group from a Berlin Franciscan monastery is the focal point of the altar. A magnificent Baroque tomb for the Heidert family of court gardeners stands as a lasting tribute. Originally an organ wasn’t planned. However a royal donation changed that. The original 1861 organ by Carl Ludwig Gesell and Carl Schultze has been replaced in 2010. The new one was built by the Orgelbaufirma Mühleisen.
The bells of the Kirche am Stölpchensee also have a story to tell. One original bell was lost during World War I. A replacement was cast by Franz Schilling in 1930. The original carillon also disappeared during World War II. New bells were added in the late 1950s.
The Kirche am Stölpchensee was renamed in 1965. Before that it was simply known as the Alte Kirche (Old Church). This was to differentiate it from another church in the same parish.
The Kirche am Stölpchensee continues to stand as a testament to faith and architectural artistry. A beloved landmark for the community. It is a vital part of Wannsee’s identity. A striking example of royal patronage and remarkable resilience. A story etched in stone and time.