One church Cathcon will never defend.
- the Martin Luther Memorial Church in Berlin which is about to be disused (see article below)
It was never Catholic, being built Protestant and as a temple to Nazism. There are, of course, no similar examples within the Catholic Church.
Martin Luther's psychotic dislike of Jews, however, fitted rather well with the Nazi movement.
The great American journalist, William Shirer got it right:
Catholics were fierce anti-Nazis. 
It was never Catholic, being built Protestant and as a temple to Nazism. There are, of course, no similar examples within the Catholic Church.
Martin Luther's psychotic dislike of Jews, however, fitted rather well with the Nazi movement.
The great American journalist, William Shirer got it right:
"It is difficult to understand the behavior of most German Protestants in the first Nazi years unless one is aware of two things: their history and the influence of Martin Luther. The great founder of Protestantism was both a passionate anti-Semite and a ferocious believer in absolute obedience to political authority. He wanted Germany rid of the Jews. Luther's advice was literally followed four centuries later by Hitler, Goering and Himmler."
Catholics were fierce anti-Nazis.
The article itself- Church with Nazi symbolism to be sold. German original.
The offer is as unusual as the object that is for sale. For the first time, a Berlin church is put out to sale. So far, there are no interested buyers although the Martin Luther Memorial Church in the Tempelhof district is unique in its own way in Germany.
Those responsible for the plan are within the Protestant Regional Church who hope to unburden themselves both financially and morally. Kurt Steinberg, the Nazi architect and director of church building designed the church between 1929 and 1933. The interior of the church is from top to bottom full of Nazi symbolism.
The church was closed three years ago and held a thousand. The tower is regarded as not being safe due to building defects. Parts of the façade have been removed to avoid collapse. To bring the church up to today’s building standards a sum of 3.5 million euro would be needed. The pastor in charge, Hans-Martin Brehm states that this property is a big financial burden for them, despite the fact that the parish would like to keep the church. The number of churchgoers has been reduced and the old and smaller church in Mariendorf is sufficient for the congregation.
“We are paying annually around 40,000 euro just to safeguard the building, says Brehm.
The informal search for a new use for this church has so far been without success. This is why one took up the new procedure of tender. It is not clear who would want this church. There is however, a use assessment which had been commissioned by the Regional Church in 2006, but no mention had been made of anyone who was interested but it is hoped that leasees are found who are in the leisure or culture sectors. An outright sale has been considered and even a complete demolition is not excluded.
“We are relatively helpless”, admits Matthias Hoffmann-Tauschwitz, the Director of Building. The office responsible for listed building protection find the last variant, the demolition as unbearable. A representative of the German Foundation for Building Protection, Peter Schabe said “The church is, in all probability, unique in Germany but the Listed Building Office in Tempelhof-Schoeneberg considers the value of the building arguable. “There are more churches than one would assume, which carry one or several of the stylistic elements of Hitler faithful Christians”, says Monika Geyler, the Operational Director of the Berlin Forum for History and the Contemporary (BFGG). The latter were responsible for the making the user assessment. “However, such a complete and preserved programme of images is unknown to use anywhere in Germany”.
In actual fact, swastikas and symbols of NS prosperity in terracotta have been removed from the arches, but still left behind were the steel-helmeted soldiers, members of the brown shirts and the Hitler Youth represented on the pulpit.
The offer is as unusual as the object that is for sale. For the first time, a Berlin church is put out to sale. So far, there are no interested buyers although the Martin Luther Memorial Church in the Tempelhof district is unique in its own way in Germany.
Those responsible for the plan are within the Protestant Regional Church who hope to unburden themselves both financially and morally. Kurt Steinberg, the Nazi architect and director of church building designed the church between 1929 and 1933. The interior of the church is from top to bottom full of Nazi symbolism.
The church was closed three years ago and held a thousand. The tower is regarded as not being safe due to building defects. Parts of the façade have been removed to avoid collapse. To bring the church up to today’s building standards a sum of 3.5 million euro would be needed. The pastor in charge, Hans-Martin Brehm states that this property is a big financial burden for them, despite the fact that the parish would like to keep the church. The number of churchgoers has been reduced and the old and smaller church in Mariendorf is sufficient for the congregation.
“We are paying annually around 40,000 euro just to safeguard the building, says Brehm.
The informal search for a new use for this church has so far been without success. This is why one took up the new procedure of tender. It is not clear who would want this church. There is however, a use assessment which had been commissioned by the Regional Church in 2006, but no mention had been made of anyone who was interested but it is hoped that leasees are found who are in the leisure or culture sectors. An outright sale has been considered and even a complete demolition is not excluded.
“We are relatively helpless”, admits Matthias Hoffmann-Tauschwitz, the Director of Building. The office responsible for listed building protection find the last variant, the demolition as unbearable. A representative of the German Foundation for Building Protection, Peter Schabe said “The church is, in all probability, unique in Germany but the Listed Building Office in Tempelhof-Schoeneberg considers the value of the building arguable. “There are more churches than one would assume, which carry one or several of the stylistic elements of Hitler faithful Christians”, says Monika Geyler, the Operational Director of the Berlin Forum for History and the Contemporary (BFGG). The latter were responsible for the making the user assessment. “However, such a complete and preserved programme of images is unknown to use anywhere in Germany”.
In actual fact, swastikas and symbols of NS prosperity in terracotta have been removed from the arches, but still left behind were the steel-helmeted soldiers, members of the brown shirts and the Hitler Youth represented on the pulpit.
A SA man is shown on the baptismal font. In the ante-room, Hindenburg gazes at Luther. Luther was originally Hitler, but the latter was replaced. It is still disputable whether the original Hitler was a bust or a relief. The “best solution” would be to keep it for “church purposes” according to the director for listed buildings, Sigmund Kroll at the BFGG, however, they are pursuing ideas of usage by museums. Monika Guyler said “it could be used as a documentation centre which introduces sacred art and architecture under National Socialism.”
Geyler is confident that money will be found for serious undertakings. “The Regional Government has signaled that they are ready to provide financial support”. The church can also hope for the help of the Listed Buildings Foundation. The public have already shown their interest. Around 150 visitors arrived during the open door day for listed buildings. For about a year, it has been possible to examine an display in front of the church on the history and future of the building.
Geyler is confident that money will be found for serious undertakings. “The Regional Government has signaled that they are ready to provide financial support”. The church can also hope for the help of the Listed Buildings Foundation. The public have already shown their interest. Around 150 visitors arrived during the open door day for listed buildings. For about a year, it has been possible to examine an display in front of the church on the history and future of the building.
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