A poignant silence hangs in the air. We stand before the Samariterkirche. Its brick facade whispers tales of a bygone era. This isn’t just any church. The Samariterkirche in Berlin Friedrichshain holds a unique place in the city’s history.
Built between 1892 and 1894 the Samariterkirche is a magnificent example of Märkisch brick Gothic architecture. Architect Gotthilf Ludwig Möckel designed this beautiful building. The church stands proudly on Samariterplatz its name giving rise to the surrounding quarter Samariterviertel.
But the Samariterkirche is more than just pretty architecture. It played a vital role in resisting Nazi oppression. During the darkest days of the Third Reich it became a center of the Pfarrernotbund. This was a crucial group within the Confessing Church. This courageous Pfarrer Wilhelm Harnisch served as the press officer. A memorial plaque next to the church portal honors his bravery and social work. He even established a soup kitchen for the unemployed.
The Samariterkirche bore witness to the devastation of World War II. Its windows shattered. Parts of the parish hall had to shelter refugees. The streets were littered with the dead. In a chilling scene Pfarrer Harnisch along with local residents collected the bodies. They were temporarily placed in the church sacristy. A makeshift cemetery was created behind the church. Berlin lacked burial facilities. Harnisch became the cemetery administrator for the Friedrichshain district. The temporary graveyard was closed in 1978. It was later leveled to create a playground for the parish kindergarten. The remains were respectfully moved to a cemetery in Hohenschönhausen.
Under the watchful eyes of the GDR regime the Samariterkirche became a beacon of hope. It hosted politically charged Blues Masses. These services organized by musician Günter “Holly” Holwas and Pastor Rainer Eppelmann attracted young people who opposed the SED regime. The events attracted national attention. They were controversial. They put the church firmly in the crosshairs of the Stasi. Two assassination attempts on Rainer Eppelmann are well-documented. The Blues Masses ended in 1986 under pressure from the state. Rainer Eppelmann later became Minister for Disarmament and Defense in the last GDR government. He is now the chairman of the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship.
Today the Samariterkirche stands as a testament to resilience faith and the enduring spirit of Berlin. It continues to serve as a place of worship a place of community. It echoes with the voices of those who sought refuge hope and resistance within its walls. The church remains a quiet oasis in the vibrant neighborhood it helped to define a place where history and faith intertwine. The Samariterkirche a sanctuary both past and present.