Wondering about the story behind this unassuming building. This is the Neuapostolische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg. It holds a significant place in Berlin’s religious landscape. Let’s uncover some interesting details about its history.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg is more than just a church. It represents a community with a long and fascinating past. The church’s origins trace back to the apostolic work of Carlyle in Berlin. He arrived in 1848 and started his work. Amidst the March Revolution in 1848, he performed the first apostolic laying on of hands. This took place during a service in Berlin.
Imagine the scene. Candidates had to climb over barricades. Street fights had occurred there the day before. The service occurred in a hotel meeting room on Friedrichstrasse. It was the only service in Berlin’s city center that Sunday. All other churches were closed because of the revolution. Thus, the first congregation in Prussia was established in Berlin.
Initially, Charles Böhm led the church. Later Carl Rothe became the leader in August 1848. Rothe had been a pastor. He was one of the 60 sealed on March 19, 1848. Friedrich Rathmann was his first helper. Early services were held in a rented hall. As the congregation grew, they moved to the Bechsteinsaal. In April 1861, the congregation acquired its own chapel. It was located on Stallschreiberstrasse 8 A.
A split occurred within the church in Hamburg. This led to the founding of the Allgemein christlich apostolische Mission. Some members in Berlin joined this new movement. Prophet Geyer led these few believers in Berlin. In December 1865, he announced the first mission and Bible study. It took place in his apartment. By March 1866, a membership list was created. It included Geyer and 15 others. Ludwig Bösecke was among them. He helped establish the congregation in Berlin. From 1866, the small congregation met in a shoemaker’s cellar.
The congregation numbered only 12 to 16 people. Meetings occurred irregularly after the summer of 1866. Geyer returned to his family in Hamburg for an extended time. Bösecke left Berlin in May 1866. From December 1866, they met in Geyer’s new apartment. Later, they gathered in Bösecke’s apartment. After 1872, Bösecke was able to focus on his calling in Schlesien.
Ludwig Bösecke returned to Berlin in December 1878. He aimed to reunite the dissolved congregation. The membership list included only 10 names. Bösecke enlisted Ernst Traugott Hallmann from Silesia. He tasked him with leading the Berlin congregation. Hallmann found a new place for services. Members no longer had to meet in a cellar. He rented a room from Richter. The congregation grew slowly. In 1883, they moved to Josephstrasse 3. They converted a former horse stable into a meeting place. Initially, about 40 people attended services there.
Friedrich Krebs took over the care of the Berlin congregation in 1884. He replaced Bösecke. In November 1886, the service changed. It shifted from a Catholic-inspired liturgy to a Calvinistic service. In July 1888, the name “Apostolische Gemeinde” was adopted.
The Berlin congregation became active in missionary work. Numerous new congregations were founded in the surrounding area. The second congregation in the Berlin area was founded in Küstrin around 1883 or 1884. Eberswalde followed in 1887. The Berlin congregation moved again. They rented a factory space on Kleine Markusstrasse. At that time, it had about 100 members. Ältesten Hallmann led the congregation.
Growth continued in the 1890s. New congregations emerged in Schöneberg, Charlottenburg, Reinickendorf and Tempelhof. In 1897, Ernst Hallmann became an Apostle for East Prussia. Bishop Emil Klautzsch took over leadership of the Berlin congregations.
After Stammapostel Krebs died in 1905, Apostle Hallmann returned to Berlin. Stammapostel Niehaus sent him from East Prussia. The congregations in and around Berlin formed the newly founded Apostle District Berlin. In 1905, it consisted of four bishop districts. These districts had over 60 congregations.
As you stand here, remember the rich tapestry of faith. The Neuapostolische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg has grown. It has evolved significantly over the years. Today, the Neuapostolische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg continues to serve its community. It upholds its traditions in a modern world.