Dorfkirche Falkenhagen (Havelland)

In the charming town of Falkensee, Brandenburg, lies a hidden gem that whispers tales of the past – the Dorfkirche Falkenhagen. This evangelical church, nestled amidst serene surroundings, stands as a testament to resilience and historical evolution, having witnessed centuries of change and transformation.

The Origins and Early History

The story of Dorfkirche Falkenhagen begins in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century, when the village's inhabitants built their first modest church. Unfortunately, this early structure, along with the village's residential buildings, was consumed by a devastating fire in 1675. With no surviving documents from that era, the details of the original church remain shrouded in mystery.

Undeterred by this calamity, the resilient villagers embarked on rebuilding their place of worship. By 1680, a new church, constructed from fieldstones and incorporating remnants of the old walls, stood proudly on the site. This new building featured a wooden bell tower and a steep gabled roof, with the date of its consecration inscribed on a weather vane.

18th Century Renovations and Additions

As the 18th century dawned, the church underwent its first significant renovations under the skilled hands of carpenter Samuel Winter from Spandau. In 1735, Winter replaced the wooden shingles on the tower with new ones crafted from four oak trunks, and the church's clock received new dials. The interior also saw improvements, including fresh paint for the gallery and newly whitewashed walls.

By 1771, another round of extensive renovations was necessary, led by master mason Johann Conrad Barnick. These efforts, completed in 1777, included significant structural repairs and enhancements, as evidenced by the second date inscribed on the weather vane. The church's ceiling was transformed into a barrel vault, and a new gallery was added behind the altar wall.

19th Century Transformations

The 19th century brought further changes to Dorfkirche Falkenhagen. In 1832, the ceiling was reshaped into its current barrel-vaulted form, and an additional gallery was constructed behind the altar. Urgent repairs to the bell tower in 1882 saw the replacement of wooden shingles with slate, a task undertaken by roofer Nicolaus Degenhardt from Wüsthaitrode, Kreis Heiligenstadt.

20th Century Upgrades and Challenges

The early 20th century marked a period of modernization and artistic enhancement for the church. Around 1910, the east facade's windows were replaced with colorful stained glass, adding a vibrant touch to the building's aesthetic. However, the First World War necessitated the sacrifice of the church's original bells, which were melted down for war materials. In 1920, the community acquired three new steel bells from the Bochum bell foundry, restoring the church's melodic chimes.

In 1936, a notable event took place within the church's hallowed walls when Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a prominent theologian, officiated the wedding of his student and future bishop Albrecht Schönherr to Hildegard Enterlein. The church survived the Second World War with minimal damage, thanks in part to the efforts of Pastor Neese, who cleverly prevented the requisition of the bells by noting on a questionnaire that their bronze composition was questionable.

Post-War Simplicity and Restoration

In the post-war era, the church's interior underwent a significant transformation. In 1960, following the Evangelical Synod's new directive for simplicity, the pulpit altar was dismantled and reconfigured into a separate altar and pulpit. A painting by local artist Franz Haferland, depicting Jesus with the Emmaus disciples, replaced the pulpit. The once-colorful wall and ceiling paintings were painted over in gray.

Modern-Day Renovations

The fall of the Berlin Wall opened new avenues for the church's restoration. From 1994 to 2008, extensive renovations were carried out, funded by grants, sponsors, and individual donations. The church's roof and tower were renewed, wooden structural elements were replaced, and the interior was meticulously restored. The culmination of these efforts was celebrated in December 2008 with a rededication service for the altar.

Architectural Features and Interior

Dorfkirche Falkenhagen boasts a rectangular floor plan with a sacristy annex and a westward extension serving as a weather shelter. The main room, approximately 25 meters long and 15 meters wide, is oriented west to east and features a wooden barrel vault. The altar wall houses a sacrament niche with a wooden door adorned with early 18th-century iron fittings.

The Tower and Bells

The church's 15-meter-high tower, with its square base, features board-clad sound openings for the three bells and is topped with a distinctive spire. The tower's pinnacle, recently renovated, is crowned with a weather vane, a tower knob, and a cross. Inside the tower, historical documents, coins, and a photo of local children were placed during the last renovation, continuing a tradition from 1882.

Originally, the church had three bronze bells, but only the smallest, cast in 1705, survived the First World War. The current steel bells, installed in the 1920s, are tuned to F', G#, and C# and have been electrically operated since the 1930s. The largest bell bears the inscription, If God is for us, who can be against us? while the smallest reads, Lord, make us free.

The Altar and Pulpit

The wooden pulpit altar, crafted in 1705, now sits on a low pedestal following its 1960 reconfiguration. The new altarpiece, an oil painting, is framed by two twisted columns and acanthus leaves, with the predella depicting the Last Supper.

Windows, Gallery, and Lighting

The church's stained glass windows, installed around 1900, depict the sacraments of baptism and communion. The remaining windows feature pastel-colored glass. The horseshoe-shaped gallery, supported by wooden columns, is adorned with gold and blue panels, with the west gallery's center extending in a bay window.

The church's lighting, including wall and pendant fixtures, was refurbished by the Rothkegel Glassworks and Lighting Manufactory in Würzburg during the recent renovations. To the right of the altar, two metal candelabras stand, one designed to resemble a tree crown, donated by a local blacksmith in the early 21st century.

In conclusion, Dorfkirche Falkenhagen is not just a place of worship; it is a living chronicle of a community's enduring faith and resilience. Its walls echo with centuries of history, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring the picturesque town of Falkensee.