Contemplate this red-brick building. This is the Mor Afrem Kirche. It stands on the corner of Mindener Strasse and Mierendorffplatz. The Mor Afrem Kirche is a Syriac Orthodox church. However, it wasn’t always a Syriac Orthodox place of worship. Let me tell you its story.
In the early 20th century, a new Evangelical church was planned. It was to be built right in the middle of Gustav-Adolf-Platz. Today this is Mierendorffplatz. But the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche was built a few streets away. Around the same time, a Catholic church was planned for this corner. Architect August Kaufhold envisioned a traditional basilica. Sadly, funds were short. In 1926, only a temporary church could be built. It included an apartment for the priest. This provisional structure stood until 1964.
The Mariä Himmelfahrt parish was young. It was the youngest daughter parish of Herz Jesu in Charlottenburg. In 1950, it became an independent parish. Before the new church was even built, part of it was separated. In 1963, the Maria Regina Martyrum parish was created.
Finally, in 1964, construction began on a new church. Architect Alfons Boklage designed it. The Mariä Himmelfahrt Church was completed in 1966. During construction, the Catholic parish was welcomed in the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche. This fostered many ecumenical relationships.
The building is a four-winged structure. It surrounds an inner courtyard. Red-brown Dutch bricks cover the building. Exposed concrete adds to its unique look. The complex includes the church hall. It sits between Mindener Strasse and a residential building on Mierendorffplatz. A residential and community building runs parallel. Two connecting structures link these buildings. The church and connecting sections rest on an open concrete base. This base is encased in brick. The church’s gable roof slopes toward the courtyard. The façade facing Mierendorffplatz stretches 34 meters. It is made of glass steel concrete.
Inside the Mor Afrem Kirche, the church space has an apse. It fills the semi-circular area of the tower. Natural stone slabs cover the floor. Wood forms the ceiling. Daylight barely enters through the façade. The large window facing the courtyard provides the most natural light.
The bell tower rises 33 meters. It has a semicircular design. The belfry contains four bronze bells. Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock cast them in 1965. Each bell has an inscription. One reads “Jesus Christus, Weg, Wahrheit, Leben”. Another says “Maria, aufgenommen in den Himmel, bitte für uns”. A third bell is inscribed “Johannes – Bereitet den Weg des Herren”. The last bell states “St. Georg – Hilf im Glauben siegen”.
In 1988, the Mariä Himmelfahrt Church also became home to the Italian Catholic Mission. In 2005, the Catholic Church sold the building. The buyer was the Syriac Orthodox community Mor Afrem e. V.. On May 4, 2008, it reopened as the Mor Afrem Kirche.
The Syriac Orthodox Church has ancient roots. It traces its origins back to Antioch. Followers of Jesus were first called Christians there. The church uses Classical Syriac in its liturgy. The Mor Afrem Kirche stands as a testament. It shows Berlin’s diverse religious history. It also highlights the Syriac Orthodox community’s presence here.