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Churches as Venues: A New Perspective
Summary of the blog post
Historically, churches have been centres of faith and places of community. They have provided space to experience connection and spirituality, and to provide a framework and foundation for respectful interactions with others. Churches have always been places of personal encounter. So why not hold conferences, meetings, workshops, dinner parties, private events or even a rave in these spaces, instead of or in addition to religious services?
Some special churches in Berlin show that this is indeed possible.
Genezareth Church - Startbahn
The team at Genezareth Church in the heart of Neukölln, just a few minutes' walk from Tempelhofer Feld, shows how the use of a church can be transformed and revitalised. At the heart of this church is a large, round light fixture that was redesigned by artist Ole Ukena during the Art Week 2020..
The entire church shines in a modern and colourful design. A huge circular pink carpet in the middle of the room provides space for toddler crawling groups and meditation sessions some mornings, and marks the dancefloor or space for other inspiring and fun get-togethers in the evenings.
What is special about this church is that nothing has to stay in place if not desired for an event. Everything is movable and interchangeable here. Instead of centuries-old pews, bright colourful cushions and a gallery with various colourful seating options adorn the church. Colourful stained glass windows and a reading corner where you can find books ranging from the Quran and the Bible to texts on Buddhist and meditation. These are just some of the surprising design elements that one might not immediately expect in a church but that immediately inspire the imagination for colourful events.
The adjacent restaurant TERZ provides the appropriate catering for any event: regional and seasonal. Whether for a dinner party or Christmas celebration in an inspiring encounter. So why not also for MICE events?
Church room - Ground floor
On the other hand, we also experience many positive situations where people simply stand in the church and either participate in a small rave or a meditation. Then they come to me and say: 'I never thought something like this was possible in a church.' They are totally thrilled and surprised.
Interview with Nehemia Turban: Project Manager of Startbahn Berlin
In an interview with Nehemia Turban, who is a project manager for Booking & Events at Startbahn Berlin, we learn why it is worthwhile to look beyond traditional boundaries and organise events such as MICE events in a church. He shares his experiences as a former interior designer and how he at Genezareth Church. He also discusses what makes a modern church and what exciting events, besides services and other spiritual events, can take place in such spaces.
How did it come about to open Genezareth Church for non-religious events?
Genezareth Church used to be a little-visited Protestant church with a dormant congregation. The Protestant Church District of Neukölln was looking for a place to try out new concepts for churches, so-called "third places", which are a mix of cultural centre and church. The aim was to fill the church with life again and to test new financing models.
Today, Genezareth Church hosts services, spiritual workshops, and various events. The place serves as an experimental field to find out how a church can also be used as a venue and what costs and efforts are associated with it.
The church is now a vibrant place with diverse offerings: from crawling time and neighbourhood work in the morning, to choir rehearsals and workshops in the afternoon, to concerts, weddings, dinner parties, and conferences in the evening, everything is possible. The concept has proven successful and attracts visitors from all over Europe who want to be inspired.
I originally came to this project as an interior designer and developed the design for the church. Now I am working on a similar project for another church on the outskirts of Berlin. The aim is to design the community centre to be modern, friendly, and practical to attract more people without necessarily having to join the church.
How did you transition from interior design to your current role?
I stumbled into this project by chance. As a designer, I met the parish pastor who offered 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 instance, for conferences, children's groups, or weddings.
After completing the project, the church was looking for someone to handle the commercial rental business. Having previously worked for 12 years as a location manager and production manager in television and film, and being well-connected, the role suited me perfectly. Despite not having had any ties to the church since my youth, I found the project intriguing and wanted to get involved.
Now, I support the church not only in rental management but also in advising on aesthetic decisions. We continually develop the venue, collaborate with artist teams, and optimise the technology. I am building a team of event managers and social media managers to handle the increasing attention and workload.
Our sole objective is to bring the place to life and use it as an experimental field from which the church can learn. There isn’t a clearly defined goal otherwise; we try out different things and continuously evolve.
How do non-religious individuals perceive the space? Is the approach open?
This place is very open to people of all backgrounds, religious affiliations, genders, and sexualities. This was decided by our leadership team from the outset, which impresses me greatly.
We also have an intercultural centre that fosters relationships with other religions and cultural identities. There are Christian events where rabbis and representatives of other religions are present to promote interfaith dialogue. This open approach convinced me from the beginning, as I believe all religions should peacefully coexist side by side.
We initiate many small projects, such as urban gardening and children's groups, which bring different types of people together and promote network building. Friendships and community are formed here, which I believe is also rooted in faith. This social exchange is much stronger than before, when there were only church services and the church was mainly available to religious church members.
However, in the rental business, I notice that some businesses decline because they do not want to hold their events in a church. This shows that many people have a fixed image of what a church should be. If they could see how open and versatile our church is, many prejudices would dissolve.
There are reservations, but mostly positive reactions. People are often excited to see events like parties or meditations happening in our church. This shows that our approach works and serves as a positive example of how a church can be different.
How about MICE events at Genezareth Church?
This venue is excellent for conferences. We have three colour-coded galleries, an adjacent room, and a beautiful environment near Tempelhofer Feld. Ideally, we would host three to four conferences here per month.
Unlike typical convention centres, we offer an engaging and inspiring atmosphere. Modern companies and startups particularly seek something unique, and our location provides exactly that.
Churches are often empty during weekdays but predominantly used in the evenings and on Sundays – perfect for conferences. The distinctive setting leaves a lasting impression, and the acoustics allow for highlights like beautiful music. We can even transition into a dinner party, supported by the nearby restaurant, TERZ.
What all is possible at Genezareth Church?
At Genezareth Church, many things are possible. We host a wide variety of events, including dance parties, dinner parties, film sets, yoga classes, art performances, exhibitions, political discussions, and concerts. The flexible layout without permanently fixed pews allows us to tailor the space to various needs. With movable furnishings, we can quickly transform the space for different events and create a unique atmosphere.
Französischer Dom
Gendarmenmarkt is undoubtedly one of Berlin's most beautiful squares, featuring the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) and the Friedrichskirche, both impressive with their historical flair. Together, these buildings offer three spaces ideal for seminars, workshops, and meetings and small group activities. The historical hall of the Friedrichskirche accommodates up to 500 people and is particularly suitable for unforgettable dinner events, concerts, or conferences. A smaller hall is located in the lower church with access to the courtyard. A dedicated catering service is available on-site for your participants' refreshment needs.
Regardless of the chosen space, the absolute highlight of the Französischer Dom is its 40-meter-high viewing platform overlooking Gendarmenmarkt and with expansive views of the Berlin skyline.
Explore capacities, sustainability management, and more in the Meeting Guide Berlin directly. Alternatively, take a virtual tour of the cathedral and church.
berlin gendarmenmarkt at sunset
St. Elisabeth Church
St. Elisabet Church´s cultural office has a central goal: to promote dialogue between faith and culture while preserving the church's identity. This mission is reflected in the diverse range of events the church centre hosts.
In addition to a public cultural programme, St. Elisabeth Church also provides space for conferences, award ceremonies, rehearsals, receptions, film shoots, dinners, and other glamorous events in an impressive setting.
The church's industrial charm is evident with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and light-filled rooms. However, the standout feature for events of any kind is the glass ceiling.
Discover the facilities of St. Elisabeth Church on your own and embark on a journey of exploration with a virtual tour in the Meeting Guide Berlin entry. Visit the entry here.
St. Elisabeth Kirchsaal Blick zur Apsis
BESONDERE ORTE - Umweltforum
The Umweltforum offers space for inspiring workshops, meetings, and events in a modern and loft-like environment. Remnants of the former church are still prominent, creating a unique atmosphere for the conferences and events held there.
The various rooms within the adjacent building can be flexibly utilised, providing a 1200 m² event space - a hall and 11 differently sized seminar rooms with capacities for up to 300 people.
As part of the "BESONDERE ORTE" (Special Places) initiative, the team behind the Umweltforum sets standards for sustainable locations and events. Achieving Germany's first sophisticated EMAS certification in 2012 and sourcing electricity from 100% renewable energies are just some of the criteria implemented at these special places.
Learn more about sustainability criteria, capacities, and more in the Meeting Guide Berlin. Find out more here.
Kongress "green meeting" Visit Berlin, Umweltforum Friedrichshain, Berlin, 2013.12.03
Passionskirche
Built in 1905, the Passionskirche underwent a renaissance, undergoing renovations and technological upgrades in the 1990s to optimise its natural acoustics and showcase its architectural charm, making it an ideal venue for music and art events.
Thanks to its improved acoustic ceiling vaults, it has since become a popular venue for concerts. However, the church is also excellent for celebrations, presentations, and other social events. The distinctive dome and the alternating layers of brick masonry and Romanesque-Byzantine architectural elements define the church's appearance, giving it a castle-like character.
With these unique features, the Passionskirche is more than just a place for worship: it is a real eye-catcher that will impress your guests even before the event begins.
More information about the Passionskirche.
Genesis Show in der Passionskirche
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