Repurposing Sanctuaries: Innovative Functions for Berlin's Hallowed Structures
In the heart of Berlin, the city's rich history and modern innovation intertwine in a unique dance. This dance is most evident in the transformation of several churches, once sacred spaces, into vibrant community hubs.
One such example is the Schöneberg church conversion, which demonstrates that residential use and historic architecture are not mutually exclusive. The architectural concept for this project emphasizes individuality, with features like maisonette apartments, private terraces, and large window areas. The distinctive bell tower remains in the conversion, serving as a reminder of the original use of the site.
The MACHmit! Museum for Children, housed in the Elias Church in Prenzlauer Berg since 2003, is another testament to this trend. The renovation of the Elias Church received several awards for its successful combination of heritage preservation and child-friendly learning.
Elsewhere in the city, St.-Agnes Church in Kreuzberg, built between 1964 and 1967 in the brutalist style by Werner Düttmann, faced a different fate. With declining parish members, the Archdiocese of Berlin put the church up for disposal in 2005. Gallery owner Johann König purchased and renovated St.-Agnes Church in a historically sensitive manner, transforming it into an exhibition venue.
These transformations are not unique to Berlin. Across Germany, an increasing number of churches, approximately 45,000 in total, are no longer used for regular services. Initiatives like "Future - Churches - Spaces" and the "Church Manifesto" advocate for churches to be viewed as societal resources, with the goal of preserving sacred buildings as common goods and developing them meaningfully.
Collaboration between communities, architectural firms, administrations, and local people is necessary for a new approach to sacred buildings. Examples of converted churches include libraries, bookstores, music centers, public event spaces, community centers, galleries or art centers, climbing halls, theaters, and apartments.
In Mönchengladbach, a former church has been transformed into a climbing hall, with interventions that are fully reversible to allow future use as a sacred building. This approach highlights the importance of preserving the historical integrity of these structures while repurposing them for the benefit of the community.
The transformation of churches in urban environments can have a revitalizing effect, reintegrating closed-off places into the quarter and fostering social exchange. The Berlin examples show that churches can remain a societal anchor even in secular times if they are thought of openly, rebuilt courageously, and used responsibly.
As these examples demonstrate, the future of Germany's churches lies not in abandonment but in reinvention. By repurposing these sacred spaces, we not only preserve our history but also create vibrant, community-focused environments that enrich our cities.
