Sophienkirche (Berlin)
Encyclopedia
The Sophienkirche is a Protestant
church in the Spandauer Vorstadt part of the Berlin-Mitte region of Berlin
, eastern Germany
. One of its associated cemeteries is the Friedhof II der Sophiengemeinde Berlin
.
. After the death of her husband Frederick's third wife Sophie Luise von Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1685-1735), did not (as originally intended) have the church named after her at the consecration ceremony presided over by Frederick's successor Frederick William I
on 25 February 1713. On 18 June 1713 the church was dedicated as the Spandauische Kirche. It was first named after Sophie Luise under his successor Frederick II
, and has been called the Sophienkirche ever since.
A baroque tower was added in 1732-34 by Johann Friedrich Grael.
In 1891/92 the church was rebuilt to designs by Friedrich Schulze
by the practice Kyllmann & Heyden, overseen by Kurt Berndt. The roof was raised and an altar niche added at the east end, and the surviving interior decoration is almost entirely from this restoration.
There is a memorial to the poet Karl Wilhelm Ramler
on the outside wall of the church's sacristy and one on the exterior north wall of the church to the poet Anna Luise Karsch.
Prominent graves in the churchyard include those of Carl Friedrich Zelter
, founder of the Berlin Singakademie
, and graves from the last days of the Second World War in the adjacent Sophienstraße.
Evangelical Church in Germany
The Evangelical Church in Germany is a federation of 22 Lutheran, Unified and Reformed Protestant regional church bodies in Germany. The EKD is not a church in a theological understanding because of the denominational differences. However, the member churches share full pulpit and altar...
church in the Spandauer Vorstadt part of the Berlin-Mitte region of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, eastern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. One of its associated cemeteries is the Friedhof II der Sophiengemeinde Berlin
Friedhof II der Sophiengemeinde Berlin
The Friedhof II der Sophiengemeinde Berlin is a Protestant cemetery of the Sophienkirche in Berlin-Mitte, Germany.-Notable interments: = An Ehrengrab awarded by the "Landes Berlin"...
.
History
Designed by Philipp Gerlach, its foundation stone was laid by Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia
Frederick I , of the Hohenzollern dynasty, was Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia in personal union . The latter function he upgraded to royalty, becoming the first King in Prussia . From 1707 he was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
. After the death of her husband Frederick's third wife Sophie Luise von Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1685-1735), did not (as originally intended) have the church named after her at the consecration ceremony presided over by Frederick's successor Frederick William I
Frederick William I of Prussia
Frederick William I of the House of Hohenzollern, was the King in Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg from 1713 until his death...
on 25 February 1713. On 18 June 1713 the church was dedicated as the Spandauische Kirche. It was first named after Sophie Luise under his successor Frederick II
Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II was a King in Prussia and a King of Prussia from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was also Elector of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
, and has been called the Sophienkirche ever since.
A baroque tower was added in 1732-34 by Johann Friedrich Grael.
In 1891/92 the church was rebuilt to designs by Friedrich Schulze
Friedrich Schulze
Friedrich Schulze, Friedrich Schulze-Colbitz or Friedrich Schulze-Kolbitz was a German architect and Prussian master of works....
by the practice Kyllmann & Heyden, overseen by Kurt Berndt. The roof was raised and an altar niche added at the east end, and the surviving interior decoration is almost entirely from this restoration.
There is a memorial to the poet Karl Wilhelm Ramler
Karl Wilhelm Ramler
Karl Wilhelm Ramler was a German poet.Ramler was born in Kolberg. After graduating from the University of Halle, he went to Berlin, where, in 1748, he was appointed professor of logic and literature at the cadet school...
on the outside wall of the church's sacristy and one on the exterior north wall of the church to the poet Anna Luise Karsch.
Prominent graves in the churchyard include those of Carl Friedrich Zelter
Carl Friedrich Zelter
Carl Friedrich Zelter was a German composer, conductor and teacher of music.Zelter became friendly with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and his works include settings of Goethe's poems...
, founder of the Berlin Singakademie
Berlin Singakademie
The Sing-Akademie zu Berlin is a musical society founded in Berlin in 1791 by Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch, harpsichordist to the court of Prussia, on the model of the 18th century London Academy of Ancient Music.-Early history:...
, and graves from the last days of the Second World War in the adjacent Sophienstraße.