Perhaps you’ve noticed the striking red brick facade. That is St. Augustinus-Kirche. It stands as a testament to architectural innovation and faith.
St. Augustinus-Kirche is more than just a building. It is a symbol of a community’s resilience and artistic vision. Let’s step back in time to uncover its fascinating story.
In the early 20th century, the Catholic community in this part of Berlin was growing rapidly. The existing church, St. Afra, became too small to accommodate everyone. Under the leadership of Pfarrer Carl Pelz, the community decided to build their own church. They started to collect money. They even sent countless begging letters abroad to fund the ambitious project.
Finally, they purchased land at the corner of Dänenstraße and Schivelbeinerstraße. In 1925, an architectural competition was held. Josef Bachem, a proponent of the New Building movement, won the competition. Together with Heinrich Horvatin, he refined his design. They envisioned a church with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. This was a departure from the traditional neo-Gothic style of the time.
The foundation stone of St. Augustinus-Kirche was laid on May 15, 1927. The construction was supervised by Otto Kutschmar and Günter Majewski. However, controversy arose upon its completion. Erzbischof Kardinal Bertram from Breslau refused to consecrate such a modern building. Instead, Weihbischof Josef Deitmer performed the ceremony on September 16, 1928.
The exterior of St. Augustinus-Kirche features a distinctive 36-meter-high tower. It is adorned with a rose window. Two pointed arch portals lead to the entrance. Above these portals, you can see terracotta figures of St. Augustine and his mother, Monica. These figures were created by Felix Kupsch. The facade is clad in red-brown brick.
Inside St. Augustinus-Kirche, the main hall is spacious with a domed ceiling. A skylight provides ample illumination. The altar area has a unique design. It features a mosaic depicting Augustine and Monica in adoration of the crucified Christ. Otto Hitzberger designed the altar decorations. Puhl & Wagner created them.
Over the years, St. Augustinus-Kirche has undergone several changes. In 1953, the interior received a yellowish paint job. However, a renovation in 2006 and 2007 restored the original color scheme. A new altar was added. This brought the holy actions and community closer.
The church bells of St. Augustinus-Kirche also have their own story. Four bronze bells were consecrated in 1927. Kaplan Walter Adolph rang them for the first time on New Year’s Eve. Sadly, one of the bells was lost during World War II.
Even the Berlin Wall impacted St. Augustinus-Kirche. It separated the parish from St. Afra, which became independent.
Today, St. Augustinus-Kirche continues to serve its community. It hosts various events. These include concerts and social services. The Katholische Studierendengemeinde Edith Stein also calls this church home.
As you leave St. Augustinus-Kirche, take a moment to appreciate its unique architecture and rich history. It stands as a testament to faith. It is a place where tradition meets modernity. It is a symbol of hope for the future.