Wichernkirche

Have you ever heard of a church that moves? I’m standing here in front of the Wichernkirche in Berlin-Spandau, a church with a unique history. This house of God has been a “wandering church”, gracing two other locations before settling here in Hakenfelde. The Wichernkirche, along with the Lutherkirche and the Radeland community center, forms the Protestant parish in northern Spandau. The Wichernkirche takes its name from Johann Hinrich Wichern, a key figure in social work and founder of the Johannesstift. Wichernstraβe, the street where the church now stands, was named after him in 1909. The church itself started its journey in Charlottenburg’s Westend district in 1897. Initially a temporary solution due to limited funds after building the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, it was known as the “Westendkapelle”. Designed by architects Johannes Vollmer and Heinrich Jassoy, it was a practical, if modest structure. Then, in 1908, the Wichernkirche, still known then as the Westendkapelle, embarked on its first move across the Spree to Siemensstadt. The growing industrial area needed a place of worship, and Siemens acquired and rebuilt the chapel on Rohrdamm. It became the Siemensstadt Chapel, serving the community for over two decades. Its final move, in 1932, brought the Wichernkirche to Hakenfelde, where a growing congregation needed a church. This “wandering church” found its permanent home here. Originally called the Wichernkapelle, it was rededicated on October 23, 1932. The adjacent community center, built in 1970, solidified the name Wichernkirche. Today, the Wichernkirche stands as a testament to its rich history. Its timber-framed exterior gives it a charming, almost rustic appeal. Inside, a simple wooden altar and cross dominate the sanctuary. The Wichernkirche has witnessed not just relocations, but also periods of conflict. During the Nazi era, it became a site of ideological struggle within the congregation. Today, the Wichernkirche stands as more than just a building. It’s a symbol of resilience, community, and faith, having journeyed through time and across the city to serve the people of Berlin.