In 1911, a small seed was planted in Berlin-Lichterfelde. This seed was the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde. Fast forward to 2011, and that seed blossomed into Mavuno Berlin. Mavuno Berlin isn’t just a name change. It’s a revival, inspired by a church in Nairobi, Kenya. This Nairobi church, also called Mavuno, sparked a movement. It revitalized old churches and planted new ones. Mavuno Berlin embraced this spirit.
Mavuno Berlin stands on historical ground. It occupies the McNair Chapel. This chapel has a fascinating past. American forces built it after World War II. It was the first of its kind on German soil, located on the former McNair Barracks. In 1994, the American troops left Germany. Their last service echoed through the McNair Chapel. The chapel then stood silent for years.
But the story doesn’t begin there. Long before Mavuno Berlin, before the McNair Chapel, there was a baker. Heinrich Hofsommer moved from the Rhineland to Groß-Lichterfelde. He opened a bakery and confectionery. He invited customers and friends to his home. Together, they read the Bible, prayed, and shared their lives. This simple act marked the beginning of the Evangelisch-Freikirchliche Gemeinde.
The church has weathered storms. It faced persecution under the Nazis. It was deemed an enemy of the state, its doors sealed shut. But even in darkness, hope flickered. The church joined the Bund freikirchlicher Christen (BfC). This alliance allowed the church to connect with others, slowly opening up and rebuilding. This later merged with the Baptists to form the Bund evangelisch freikirchlicher Gemeinden (BefG), gaining state recognition in 1942. Today, Mavuno Berlin is recognized as a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts by the Berlin Senate, demonstrating its continued importance in the community.
Mavuno Berlin carries this history within its walls. It embraces the past while looking towards the future. It’s a multicultural, multigenerational church. It’s a place to connect with God, discover your potential, and find community. The legacy of Heinrich Hofsommer continues. The spirit of the Nairobi revival lives on. Here, at Mavuno Berlin, a century-old seed has blossomed into a vibrant community. It continues to grow and inspire.