Unexpectedly standing before us is the Petrus-Kirche, a testament to resilience and reinvention. It stands here in Berlin-Lichterfelde. This house of God has a fascinating story etched into its very stones.
Let’s journey back to a time when Lichterfelde was rapidly growing. The old village churches simply couldn’t accommodate the swelling population. A decision was made to construct three new churches. The Petrus-Kirche was the first among them.
In 1897, the foundation stone was laid. Just 19 months later in December 1898, the Petrus-Kirche was consecrated. Ernst Goldbach, a government architect, won the competition to design it. He created a beautiful neo-Gothic structure.
Notice the red brick exterior. Observe the glazed tiles on the roof, patterned in different colors on the tower. These are faithful recreations of the original design from 1898.
Tragedy struck during World War I. The two largest bells were melted down for war materials. Only the smallest bell survived. In 1922, even that bell was sold to finance new ones. Three cast steel bells from the Schilling bell foundry replaced them.
The 1920s brought a fresh look to the Petrus-Kirche. In 1926, August Oetken completed a new interior paint scheme.
World War II brought more devastation. From 1942, the Petrus-Kirche served as a furniture storage facility for those bombed out of their homes. Regular church services ceased. In 1944, allied air raids damaged the roof. Then, the Nazi party used the church for material extraction. By the end of the war, the roof was almost completely gone. The stained-glass windows were lost. The interior was exposed to the elements.
But the Petrus-Kirche was not forgotten. In 1948, the roofs were repaired. This prevented further water damage to the church’s structure.
In 1954, the Lichterfelde parish was dissolved. The Petrus-Kirche became an independent parish. Reconstruction began in 1955. The renovations brought significant changes. The original wall structure was altered. The capitals of the pillars were simplified. The rosette in the chancel wall was bricked up. Damaged murals were painted over with white paint. The original features were not restored. A new wooden pulpit was constructed. The brick railing of the gallery disappeared behind wood panelling. In December 1955, Bishop Otto Dibelius reconsecrated the Petrus-Kirche.
More changes came in 1981. The church space was adapted for multiple uses. A heating system and toilets were installed in the tower. The Winterkirche was created beneath the gallery. The gallery railing was removed.
From 1955 to 2006, a simple wooden cross hung above the blocked rosette. Thanks to a donation, the rosette window was restored. The entire altar area was redesigned.
The Petrus-Kirche stands as a symbol of faith. It is also a vibrant cultural center. For over 40 years, it has hosted concerts, readings, and art exhibitions. It is open to all.
Take a moment to appreciate the Petrus-Kirche. It is a place of worship, a historical landmark, and a community hub. Its story is one of destruction and renewal. It embodies the spirit of Berlin itself.