St.-Martins-Kirche

Gazing upon St.-Martins-Kirche, one can’t help but feel a sense of awe. This striking Catholic church, nestled in Berlin’s Kaulsdorf neighborhood, has a story to tell. St.-Martins-Kirche first opened its doors on August 3, 1930. Architects Josef Bachem and Heinrich Horvatin designed the church in the New Objectivity style. The church’s design is a nod to Romanesque basilicas. The unplastered brick exterior and blocky tower create a powerful presence. A narrow window slit divides the tower vertically. This symbolizes Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. The tower gable features four rows of round windows. These windows illuminate the stairwell beautifully. The top two windows serve as sound openings for the bells. They are adorned with decorative grilles. Atop the tower sits a modern bronze cross on a projecting console. The entrance area, raised on a platform, is flanked by two cylindrical structures housing chapels. The sacristy and parish house are attached to the northeast side of the nave. Inside St.-Martins-Kirche, a three-aisled layout and a flat, multi-paneled wooden beam ceiling greet you. The stained-glass windows of the baptistery, crafted by Odo Tattenpach in 1930, depict scenes of Saint Martin. The altar area, faced with bricks, features a large mosaic by Charles Crodel. This mosaic portrays scenes of the Resurrection alongside a medieval wooden crucifix. This altar design replaced the original artwork. Originally, a large brick cross with a four-meter-high oak Christ figure by Hans Perathoner dominated the altar wall. Its expressionistic style sparked controversy, leading to its removal. It now resides in the Verklärung des Herrn Church in Berlin-Marzahn. Crodel also designed the glass paintings in the tower windows, a cycle of music-making angels. These, and the enamel work on the tabernacle door, were dedicated on December 15, 1946. Sandstone bas-reliefs depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross adorn the low side aisles. Round, eye-like windows add a unique touch. St.-Martins-Kirche boasts an electronic organ and a three-part bell cast by the Lauchhammer art foundry in 2011. St.-Martins-Kirche holds a collection of medieval art. Pieces like a 15th-century marble tabernacle from northern Italy, a late 15th-century carved altar, a wall cabinet with a Pietà, and a small 17th-century crucifix create a rich contrast to the simple architecture. The church also possesses a pair of brass candlesticks from the 16th century, three altar candlesticks, and numerous panel paintings and wooden statues. St.-Martins-Kirche has a vibrant community of around 4,600 members. It offers various groups for all ages and maintains a parish library. The church also has ties with the “Communauté de Taizé” in France, founded in 1949. Even the film industry has recognized the beauty of St.-Martins-Kirche. Its interior served as a filming location for a scene in the 2018 television series “Babylon Berlin.” This series is set in Berlin in 1929.