Weren’t places of worship also places of resistance during the dark years of Nazism? The Martin-Luther-Kirche stands before us. It is more than just a house of God. It became a sanctuary. Its story is woven with threads of faith, resilience, and quiet defiance against the Nazi regime.
Let’s delve into the history of this remarkable church. The Martin-Luther-Kirche is located in the Lichterfelde district. This area became part of the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district in 2001. Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer designed the church. It was the last church completed in Berlin before World War II.
Construction began in July 1930. The financial system collapsed in 1931. Further construction was then suspended. The community hall was used for services from November 27, 1933. The Martin-Luther-Kirche was finally consecrated on November 1, 1936. The architectural style reflects New Objectivity. The church’s interior is bright and has clear lines. Today, the Martin-Luther-Kirche is a protected monument.
A new district grew around the Botanischer Garten station after it opened in 1909. This made another church necessary for the Lichterfelde parish. The parish council bought land at the intersection of Hortensien- and Tulpenstraße around 1910-1911. They planned a prayer room and a community hall. World War I prevented this project.
The land was too low for a hall with both a prayer room and community hall. So, they decided to build a church with a community hall underneath. The united church bodies chose Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer’s design on May 13, 1930.
The cornerstone was laid on January 31, 1931. The hall was completed enough to be used for services from November 27, 1933. The church’s interior was finished. Only the altar, pulpit, pews, and organ were missing. Work on completing the church began in January 1936. It was dedicated and named after Martin Luther on November 1, 1936.
The church’s name was controversial. Some members wanted a “Hall of Heroes.” The architect objected to this name. In 1940, the three church bells were seized for armaments. Allied air raids damaged the roof during Pentecost in 1944.
Moisture severely damaged the roof structure. Services were held in the community hall until the church was repaired. The Martin-Luther-Kirche was rededicated on December 7, 1947.
The Martin-Luther-Kirche became independent in 1954 when the Lichterfelde parish was divided. The Martin-Luther and Matthäus parishes merged on January 1, 1999. Later, they joined the Lukas, Südende, Markus, and Patmos parishes to form the Steglitz-Nord parish.
During the Nazi era, the Martin-Luther-Kirche became important for the Confessing Church. Examinations were held here. People of Jewish origin were baptized in the Martin-Luther-Kirche. It was hoped this would protect them from racial persecution. Heinrich Grüber recalled that the Grüber office was founded in the parish house of the Martin-Luther-Kirche. Peter Graf Yorck von Wartenburg and other members of the Kreisau Circle lived nearby. They also met in the Martin-Luther-Kirche for devotions with Hanns Lilje.
In 1961, three bronze bells were consecrated. They were cast by the Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock bell foundry. All three bear lines from Martin Luther’s German Te Deum.
After 1990, a steel skeleton was installed in the Martin-Luther-Kirche tower. This preserved its stability. The entrance hall opens to the steps in arches. The sacristy annex was integrated into the facade. The overall structure is brick. The raw brick facade was plastered pink in 1962.
Inside, the high laminated timber construction gives the church hall a Gothic feel. Between 1955 and 1957, the Martin-Luther-Kirche was reconstructed under Max Taut. The old wooden structure was replaced with reinforced concrete beams. The ceiling was insulated with acoustic panels.
In 1937, the Martin-Luther-Kirche received a pulpit depicting the four evangelists. It also gained a Luther statue by Herbert Volwahsen. The original painting of angels on the altar wall was later removed. The Luther statue was moved to the right. The pulpit was moved to the left side of the altar area during the renovation from 1955 to 1957. Some pews were replaced with chairs. The redesigned church was rededicated on April 7, 1957. The Schuke organ was put into service on May 8, 1960. In 1962, the attached chapel received its current appearance. It contains a three-part altarpiece from the early 16th century. Today, the Martin-Luther parish meets regularly for services and events.