St. Elisabeth

In the years after the Second World War, Brandenburg an der Havel saw an influx of Catholic refugees. The existing Catholic churches were too small. The faithful often had to travel to the Holy Trinity Church in the city center. Facing a growing congregation of 1800 members in the district of Görden, the need for a new church became undeniable. This is how the story of St. Elisabeth Church began. St. Elisabeth was more than just a building. It was a symbol of resilience and faith, a testament to the community’s determination to rebuild their lives. It all started in 1947 when the Catholic community acquired a house at Mendelssohnstrasse 3 with an adjacent plot of land. They converted two rooms on the ground floor into a makeshift chapel. However, this was only a temporary solution. The community needed a proper place of worship, a beacon of hope amidst the post-war challenges. In 1951, under the leadership of Kuratus Karl Rudolph Metzen, the dream started to become a reality. On November 1, 1951, the foundation stone for St. Elisabeth was laid. The plans for the church, designed by architects Hermann Lebegern and Conrad Puchalla, were ambitious but practical. It was to be a flat-roofed, barrack-style building, a style dictated by the economic constraints of the time. What made St. Elisabeth unique was the communal effort that went into its construction. Members of the community, eager to have a place of their own, contributed their time and skills to the building process. The speed at which the church was erected is a testament to their dedication. Just six months after the foundation stone was laid, on May 25, 1952, St. Elisabeth was consecrated, a testament to the power of community and the enduring nature of faith. Today, St. Elisabeth continues to serve its community, a reminder of the challenges overcome and the enduring power of faith.