Did you know the Neue Nazarethkirche in Berlin’s Wedding district wasn’t always this imposing structure? Standing before its impressive neo-Gothic brick facade you’re looking at a building with a rich and sometimes surprising history.
The original Nazareth Church designed by the renowned Friedrich Schinkel became too small. The congregation boasted a massive 22000 members by 1878. Initial plans involved expanding the existing building. Think of the similar enlargements at St Johannis in Moabit another of Schinkel’s churches. But the Nazareth community chose a bold new path a completely new church.
Constructed between 1891 and 1893 the Neue Nazarethkirche rose northeast of its predecessor on Schulstrasse. Architect Max Spitta designed it. Julius Kleinau oversaw its construction. The style is distinctly neo-Gothic echoing the brick architecture of the Mark Brandenburg region. Its dedication occurred on March 10 1893.
World War II brought damage. The interior underwent a significant transformation in 1960. Almost all the original neo-Gothic furnishings vanished. Paintings were covered over. As the congregation shrank the church became too large. It was deconsecrated in 1989.
The building found new tenants. The Gemeinde Gottes Deutschland a Pentecostal Free Church used it from 1991 to 2016. They initially rented then purchased it in 1993. Interestingly this faith community originating in the USA in 1886 had been active in Berlin since 1988. The church also served other Free Churches. They even partially restored the 1960s-covered murals.
Since May 2016 the Hilfszentrum UKRG a branch of the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus a neocharismatic church from Brazil has occupied the Neue Nazarethkirche. It’s now their sole user. They aim to purchase the building from Gemeinde Gottes Deutschland a deal the Wedding district hopes to prevent due to a clause in the sales contract.
Notice the church’s cruciform design. The central tower is a striking feature. The 78-meter-high square tower with its pointed helmet is a stark contrast to the original church which lacked a tower. Inside a wooden pulpit crafted by Gustav Kuntzsch from Wernigerode once displayed intricate carvings and relief figures. Sadly only the figures remain kept in the archive of the Nazareth Evangelical Church. The original three-part bell chime cast in Bochumer Verein remains though. Its installation cost a hefty 6025 Marks.
So here we stand before the Neue Nazarethkirche. A building that mirrors the changing religious landscape of Berlin a testament to both architectural ambition and the enduring spirit of faith.