Church is open


I found this sign a little odd - it means the church is open. Even taken literally, I wouldn't think you would need a sign to tell people the church is open, but perhaps it is meant in a more metaphorical sense? Or maybe things are just different here! 

In any case, I did take advantage of the offer to come inside the Gethsemanekirche and found it very much worth my time. The interior  is quite simple, but the really interesting part of the church is that it played a very important role in the fall of the Berlin wall. Although religion was generally frowned upon in the former East, it was to some degree tolerated. In the late 1980s, young people began organizing prayer services and rallies at this church. Sometimes so many people came to pray that they were overflowing into the street. I guess the power of prayer really did work in this case as the wall eventually came down. There is a small exhibit inside the church detailing its role in the events of Autumn 1989 which is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Until then, you can see more signs at Signs, Signs.

17 comments:

  1. I guess they want to make sure people know, but like you, I would think it would be obvious when it is open. It definitely has an interesting history!

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  2. I would take it to mean that the church is in session? Was there something going on inside when you saw this sign? Nice find!

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  3. So many times churches are locked these days maybe that's why they need a sign?

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  4. Fascinating. I don't think you'll find many churches leaving their doors open in this country anymore. It used to be common but there has been too much crime and vandalism. The story of this church's involvement in those crucial years is most interesting. Will you show some of the interior?

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  5. Some churches here, particularly if they're of some historical importance, will have open hours during the week, perhaps just for wandering in but also for prayer.

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  6. I think it is great to see a church advertising that it is open. I have gone up to many churches in greater Hartford to take photographs and have found them all locked up. What message does that give?

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. «Louis» had a typo in the comment he deleted. Corrected version:
      «Louis» suspects that the sign may be an indicator of the low attendance at churches across Germany. A German blogger who regularly links to the inSPIREd Sunday meme commented that there are many churches in Germany but few are well-attended. A more charitable view would be that of William Kendall's...

      It's great to see a church that was an important part in "tear(ing) down this wall"...

      You should link this post this coming Sunday to inSPIREd Sunday.

      :-)

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  8. I hope you'll show us inside... Isn't that when they started walking around with candles?

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  9. At least there is no confusion regarding if it's open or not!

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  10. i'm with ciel! the entrance is beautiful...let's go in!

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  11. Unusual for sure but so many times you try a door only to find it locked.

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  12. The Gethsemane Church was in 1989 the point where people came together not to pray but to organize their political resistance to the DDR regime. No prayers would have been able to make the Wall fall. Your photos are quite good but your comments concerning your shots are often incomplete esoecially about important things.
    Shalom
    Aaron

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  13. Maybe from the side angle, the open door can't be seen. Delightful entrance.

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  14. Is this an event over there?

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  15. Interesting sign. Churches should be open, but many are not these days unless there is a service scheduled.

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  16. People probably feel more welcome to come in with a sign like that. :D

    Interesting to know the church had such a history. This should have been in my guidebook! (or maybe I overlooked this one.)

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