“A love on second sight” is what pastor Tobias Müller once said about this Martin-Luther-Kirche. Indeed, it is a very special house of God. Let me tell you its story.
The Martin-Luther-Kirche in Tegernheim was built in 1968. It was renovated just in time for its 40th anniversary in 2008. Regular services take place here on Sundays at 9 am.
But the Martin-Luther-Kirche has more to it than you might think. The architectural jewel exudes functionality and directness. It is an honest structure.
The traces of use are clearly visible. The sexton Mr Hoffmann has acquired great skills with much patience. Heating the oil stoves is like a shamanic ritual. Certain herbs must be thrown into steaming vessels to appease the spirits and bring the temperature to a comfortable level.
Those sitting can enjoy a special campfire experience. It’s hot from behind and cold from the front.
Operating a roller blind requires a lot of sensitivity. You need to bring the role into the right swing until it lowers in front of the window again.
Using the front toilet could become an adventure game. Depending on the humidity and temperature, the door could not be opened after use. Fortunately, there have been no major victims so far.
At first glance, it is not a church that you immediately fall in love with. But it has spoken to many visitors. This Martin-Luther-Kirche enables direct contact. There are no barriers to overcome. The liturgist is part of the community. The voices are not changed by echo.
Many children use the various offers with or without their parents. The church space enables a very casual natural interaction. The space comes to its limits during special occasions. At Christmas, there were no more standing or sitting places available half an hour before the start.
The people who use these rooms and fill them with life are special. They celebrate together. They help to pack and design. In a way, the Martin-Luther-Kirche stands for a certain theology. It represents a certain view of God and humanity. It stands for God’s modesty. It reflects the directness of his relationship with us. It embodies his love for lively life with all its imperfections.
Nevertheless, nostalgia is not appropriate for our Martin-Luther-Kirche. In order to be able to use it in the coming years, a number of tasks are pending. There will be decluttering and cosmetic repairs. There won’t be any thorough renovations. But we could give her face a thorough peeling and a little rouge.
The church board will deal with this and draw up corresponding plans. We should be aware of what we want. Then we can develop strategies on how to manage this with the given resources and possibilities. We can use your support, your ideas and suggestions.