Monday, October 26, 2015

A Meeting of Stars - Marx and Potsdam

Postdam (Germany)/Marx (Russia) 
  On Oct 4 in Potsdam a new partnership agreement was signed between the congregation in Marx (Saratov oblast) and the congregation of the “Star Church” in Potsdam. This agreement is a part of the new, broader agreement between the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg and Silesia of the Upper Lusatia and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia. The main goal is to strengthen the congregational structures in Marx over the course of the next 4 years.
  The “Star Church” was built as part of the “Church for New Cities” program and was dedicated in 1990. Although totally destroyed in a fire in 1997, it was re-dedicated in 1998. The name (“Sternkirche”) it got from the form of its building. The star, a symbol of Christian promise and hope, was reflected in the architecture of the building.
  At the beginning of August of this year the restoration of the church building in Marx began; the bell towers should be re-created this year, while in 2015 the restoration of the facade should be completed. This brick church, built in 1840, was the largest church of the Volga Germans. During the Soviet times it was used not according to its original purpose. Its bell tower and cupola were sacrificed in order to build a cultural club building. Now it is hoped that the exterior of the building will be restored to its original form.

No comments:

Post a Comment