Churches in Berlin offer history, atmosphere and flexibility as event venues – ideal for congresses, galas or workshops looking to stand out from traditional conference hotels.
Some special churches in Berlin show that this is indeed possible.
They are centres of faith and places of community – churches and houses of worship. They offer space to experience connection and spirituality, to practise respectful interaction with others, and to reflect inwardly. Churches have always been places of personal encounter. And they’re more than that. As venues, churches in Berlin are ideal for MICE events seeking an alternative to conventional conference rooms in hotels and congress centres. Whether for conferences, seminars, dinner parties or even raves – churches create space for connection, inspiration and lasting experiences.
The team at Genezareth Church in the heart of Neukölln, just a short walk from Tempelhofer Feld, demonstrates what it means to experience church in a new way. At the centre of the church is a large, circular light installation, redesigned by artist Ole Ukena during Art Week 2020 – a real eye-catcher.
The entire space radiates a vibrant, contemporary design. A huge circular pink carpet in the middle of the room offers space for baby groups and meditation sessions in the mornings and transforms into a dancefloor or a spot for other inspiring and entertaining get-togethers in the evenings.
What makes this church special is its flexibility: nothing is fixed in place unless specifically desired for an event. Everything is movable and interchangeable. Instead of centuries-old pews, the church features colourful, inviting floor cushions and a gallery with a mix of vibrant seating options. Stained-glass windows and a reading corner with the Quran, books on Buddhism and other world religions are just some of the surprising design elements you might not expect in a church—but they immediately spark the imagination for vibrant, creative events.
The adjacent restaurant TERZ provides locally sourced catering tailored to each occasion.
Nehemia Turban (Project Manager – Booking & Events, Genezareth Church – Startbahn) shares how this unique project and what is known as the "third place" came into being.
“We also see so many positive moments when people are simply standing in the church, joining a small rave or taking part in a meditation session. Then they come up to me and say, ‘I never thought something like this could happen in a church.’ They’re absolutely thrilled and amazed.
In our interview with Nehemia Turban, Project Manager for Booking & Events at Startbahn Berlin, he explains why it’s worth thinking beyond traditional boundaries—and why hosting business events in a church can be a truly enriching experience.
Genezareth Church was once a quiet Protestant church with a dwindling congregation. The Protestant Church District of Neukölln was looking for a place to try out new concepts for church spaces—so-called "third places" that blend the functions of a cultural centre and a place of worship. The aim was to breathe new life into the church and explore alternative funding models.
Today, Genezareth Church hosts services, spiritual workshops and a wide range of events. It serves as a testing ground for understanding how a church can also function as an event venue, and what costs and logistics are involved.
The church is now a vibrant space offering a diverse programme: from baby groups and community work in the mornings, to choir rehearsals and workshops in the afternoons, and concerts, weddings, dinner parties and congresses in the evenings. The concept has proven successful and attracts visitors from across Europe who come to be inspired
I originally joined the project as an interior designer and developed the design concept for the church. I’m now working on a similar project for another church on the outskirts of Berlin, focusing on creating a modern, welcoming and practical community centre—one that draws people in without necessarily requiring them to become church members.
I came to the project by chance. As a designer, I met the pastor in charge, who gave me the opportunity to develop the interior and lighting concept. We created a flexible and modular design that allows the space to be quickly transformed—for example, for congresses, children's groups or weddings.
After the design phase, the church was looking for someone to take over the commercial side of venue hire. With twelve years of experience as a production manager and coordinator in film and television—and a strong network—it turned out to be a perfect fit. Although I hadn’t had any personal connection to the church since my youth, I found the project exciting and wanted to get involved.
Now I support the church not only with venue hire, but also in an advisory capacity when it comes to aesthetic decisions. We're continually developing the space, working with artist collectives and improving the technical infrastructure. I’m also building a team of event managers and social media managers to keep up with growing interest and workload.
Our sole aim is to keep the space vibrant and to use it as a kind of testing ground from which the church can learn. Other than that, there’s no fixed roadmap—we’re constantly experimenting and evolving.
This space is very open to all backgrounds, religious affiliations, genders and sexual orientations. That openness was established right from the start by our leadership team, and I find that incredibly impressive. I come from a strictly Christian family myself, but here I’ve come to appreciate a new kind of openness. Our Protestant church has both male and female pastors, some of whom are in relationships and married.
We also have an intercultural centre that focuses on building relationships with other religions and cultural identities. At some Christian events, rabbis and other faith representatives are invited to join, supporting interfaith dialogue. This inclusive approach convinced me from the very beginning, as I believe all religions should coexist peacefully and side by side.
We’ve launched many small-scale projects, like urban gardening and children’s groups, that bring people together and foster community connections. Friendships and a real sense of togetherness are forming here—which, in my view, is deeply rooted in faith. This kind of social exchange is far stronger than it used to be, back when churches primarily offered worship services for members of the congregation.
That said, in the venue hire business, I do notice that some companies hesitate or decline to book with us because they don’t want to hold their event in a church. It shows that many people still have preconceived ideas or reservations about religious spaces—often without knowing how open and versatile these places have become. If they could see for themselves how flexible and welcoming our church is, many of those prejudices would quickly fall away.
There is a certain hesitation, but overwhelmingly we get positive responses. People are often amazed when they realise that events like parties or meditation sessions take place in our church. It shows that our approach is working—and offers a compelling example of how a church can be something quite different.
This venue is ideally suited for congresses. We have three colour-coded galleries, an additional side room, and a beautiful setting close to Tempelhofer Feld. In my ideal scenario, we’d host three to four congresses here each month.
Unlike conventional congress centres, we offer a unique and engaging atmosphere. Innovative companies and start-ups in particular are looking for something out of the ordinary—and our venue delivers exactly that.
Churches are typically empty during the week and mainly used in the evenings and on Sundays, which makes them perfect for congresses. All you really need are chairs, a projector and catering. The distinctive setting leaves a lasting impression, and the acoustics lend themselves to memorable highlights such as live music. We can even transition straight into a dinner party, supported by the TERZ restaurant just across the way.
IA wide range of events is possible at Genezareth Church. We host everything from raves, dinner parties and film shoots to yoga sessions, art performances, exhibitions, political discussions and concerts. The flexible layout—without fixed pews—allows us to adapt the space to suit a variety of needs. With movable furnishings, we can quickly transform the room to suit different formats and create a unique atmosphere every time.
Genezareth Church is a prime example of how diverse events in a church can be. And it’s far from an isolated case. The Französischer Dom, St. Elisabeth Church, Umweltforum, Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche and Passionskirche all show that churches can offer inspiring alternatives to conventional venues. Berlin offers a wealth of exciting options for planning MICE events in extraordinary venues like these—just as diverse and vibrant as the city itself.
The Genezarethkirche is a prime example of the diverse ways in which events can be staged in a church. And it’s far from an isolated case: the Französischer Dom, St. Elisabeth Kirche, Umweltforum, Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche and Passionskirche all confirm that such projects are anything but rare. Berlin offers a wide variety of options for planning MICE events in extraordinary venues like churches—just as colourful and diverse as the city itself.
Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares—home to the Französischer Dom and the Friedrichskirche, both steeped in historic charm. Together, these venues offer three event spaces ideal for seminars, workshops, conferences and small-group meetings. The historic hall of the Friedrichskirche accommodates up to 500 guests and is perfectly suited for unforgettable dinners, galas, concerts or conferences. A smaller hall is located in the lower church, with direct access to the inner courtyard. On-site catering is available through a dedicated partner.
Whichever space organisers choose, the true highlight of the Französischer Dom is the 40-metre-high observation deck, offering panoramic views over Berlin.
You can find full details on capacities, sustainability management and more in the Meeting Guide Berlin—or take a virtual tour of the Dom and church.
The cultural office at St. Elisabeth Church pursues a clear mission: to foster dialogue between faith and culture—without compromising the church’s identity. This vision is reflected in the wide range of events hosted at this church centre in Berlin-Mitte.
In addition to its public cultural programme, St. Elisabeth Church provides space for conferences, award ceremonies, rehearsals, receptions, film shoots, dinners and galas—all set against a stunning architectural backdrop.
The church impresses with its industrial charm, featuring exposed brick walls, lofty ceilings, light-filled interiors and a glass roof.
Explore the spaces at St. Elisabeth and take a virtual tour via the Meeting Guide Berlin.
The Umweltforum offers space for inspiring workshops, meetings and events in a modern, loft-style setting. Traces of the former church are still clearly visible, creating a distinctive atmosphere for conferences and events.
The various rooms in the adjacent building can be arranged flexibly, providing 1,200 square metres of event space. This includes a main hall and eleven seminar rooms of different sizes, accommodating up to 300 participants.
As part of the BESONDERE ORTE network, the Umweltforum team sets standards in sustainable venues and events. Germany’s first rigorous EMAS certification in 2012 and the use of electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources are just some of the criteria implemented by BESONDERE ORTE.
Find out more about sustainability standards, capacities and other details in the Meeting Guide Berlin.
Celebrate and meet surrounded by brick, steel and glass—it might sound unusual, but in the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, it’s part of the charm. This neo-Gothic brick church impresses with abundant natural light from large window façades and striking features in the arched brickwork of its conference spaces. It’s a superb and inspiring venue for congresses and conferences—one that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your participants.
Other highlights include the adjoining church garden with a small waterfall, in-house catering from the church café, and the romantic Hook organ. While we can’t guarantee your guests will be able to showcase their musical talents, the church’s cantor is happy to accompany your event with anything from Bach to the Beatles.
The fact that the minds behind Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche have embraced professional event management is reflected in their collaboration with Halle-Luja Kulturmanagement GmbH. The revamped website features 360-degree tours and floor plans to spark your imagination for truly unique events in this exceptional venue.
Built in 1905, the Passionskirche on Marheinekeplatz has experienced a renaissance. It was renovated and technically upgraded in the 1990s. The natural acoustics were refined and the architecture beautifully highlighted—making it a prime venue for music and arts events today.
The nave of the church is ideally suited for celebrations, presentations and other social gatherings. Its distinctive dome, combined with layered brick masonry and Romanesque-Byzantine style elements, gives the church a castle-like character.
With these unique features, the Passionskirche is far more than a place of worship—it’s a true eye-catcher that will impress your guests before your event even begins.
Like the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, the Passionskirche is managed by Halle-Luja Kulturmanagement GmbH, ensuring professional event organisation.
Find out more about the Passionskirche.
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