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Pastor Jan Kingreen (l) stands with journalists in the Nail Cross Chapel in the tower of the Garrison Church. © Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
The rebuilt tower of the Garrison Church is intended to become a symbol of peace work and democracy in Potsdam. The pastor in charge is clearly against possible appropriation by right-wing extremist circles.
Potsdam - The Protestant Church does not want to allow the rebuilt tower of the Garrison Church in Potsdam to become a magnet for right-wing extremists. “The goal is for the place to become something that it never was historically before 1945: a place for democracy education and peace work,” said Pastor Jan Kingreen on Thursday before the opening of the chapel in the tower, which will be celebrated on Easter Monday Church service is celebrated. “We are very determined that it never becomes a place for right-wing extremists.” You could use the outer shell to make right-wing extremist propaganda, but “with the program that’s happening in here, that can’t happen,” he said Theologian.
Opponents of rebuilding the tower in a baroque shell see the historic building as a symbol of militarism and a meeting point for right-wing nationalist movements in the 1920s and 1930s. They also refer to the historic “Day of Potsdam” in March 1933, when Reich President Paul von Hindenburg shook hands with the new Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler in front of the Garrison Church. For years there has been a controversial debate about the location of the former military church.
Pastor Kingreen said there are strict house rules. Anyone who wants to organize an event in the church tower must also sign that they are committed to diversity and against racism, intolerance and anti-Semitism. The Protestant church wants to do peace work and democracy education by operating the church tower. It is also about a critical examination of the highly ambivalent history of this place, said Kingreen.
On Easter Monday (6 p.m.), the simple chapel, which can accommodate around 100 guests, will be put into service for a service in the rebuilt church tower in downtown Potsdam. The celebration is also accompanied by announced protests. Pastor Kingreen said: “Our hand is out.” Critics should see for themselves what events the foundation organizes.
According to Kingreen's idea, the completely rebuilt tower should open before the summer holidays. In addition to the modern Cross of Nails Chapel with a new organ, altar table and pulpit, there is a floor with educational and seminar rooms and an interactive exhibition on history. When the weather is good, it is also possible to see as far as Berlin via a viewing platform, said the priest. dpa