[Atlantic Bridge]

Being a German architect this issue is naturally quite interesting to me. During my years of study in Hamburg in the beginning 90ties I was involved into a univercity project that dealt with the conservation of ancient monuments. I was assigned with the probably hardest part - the preservation and documentation of buildings out of the nazi era. Most of them only could be identified as such at a double take since they usually looked like buildings in the typical style that is just common in Lower Saxony, the German state that surrounds Hamburg on its southern boarder. On their inside they had normally some nazi insignia like swastikas, eagles or runes. This is called "BluBo-Stil" a word derived from from "Blut und Boden" (Blood and soil) and is different to the other form of nazi architecture that had its expression in the former monumental buildings of the "Neue Reichskanzlei" in Berlin or on the "Reichsparteitagsgelaende" in Nuernberg. BluBo-style should express the connection between the "aryan farmer" and the ideology of national socialism. A quagmire of nazi-BS of course, but really interesting from a historical view.

I got some trouble at that time since I supported the gathering of those buildings into a register of anicent monuments that are protected from change and destruction by law (it was not our decision but we could give a statement). Like in every univercity we had a strong leftist movement that claimed that such buildings have to be destroyed because they were buildt by the "right-wing" nazis. Furthermore they told me that I would be a nazi because I want to preserve such fascistic monuments. It was quite insulting for me since I am for sure no nazi. My interest was soley in the historic coherence. Since I am no sissy I fought back and most of my proposals were accepted silently after some time.

The handling with such legacy is still very problematic in Germany. Most of the former buildings around the Obersalzberg (exept the Kehlsteinhaus), that were used by the US forces until the mid 90ties were demolished from the state of Bavaria because the politicians wanted to prevent a new "temple" for old and young nazis. I think that is wrong since such relicts should be explained in a appropriate way but not be destroyed. Instead of this monumental artificial monuments (some of them quite simular to the BS buildt by nazis) are erected in Berlin while i.e. the decay of former concentration camps due to a lack of founding seems to proceed fast. To me this development is really sick.

BTW - this church -the article is about- is a mixture between a Bauhaus-style exterior (this has absolutely nothing to do with nazism - Bauhaus is rather the opposite of it) and a "BluBo" interior, since building of the church was started before 1933 and completed in 1935. A mixture between good and bad. Something that reflects Germany perfectly. It shows also the prostration of the protestant church in conjunction with nazism. Espechially the protestant church (with a few heroic exclusions like Dietrich Bonhoeffer) was a quagmire of weird nazism. A somehow (at the same time) sick and funny example: They wanted to prove that Jesus was a aryan. Therefore it would be worth to preserve this church. Just to show how close good and bad things are sometimes.

[Tamar1973]

I'm kind of surprised they wouldn't have torn it down or at least gutted it a long time ago since supporting Nazi ideals is very illegal in Germany.

[Nihil Obstat]

more about the church in a related article here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1594353/posts

[marron]

Fascinating.

I agree that it should be preserved. It should be preserved as a museum, though; it would be hard to imagine worshipping in such a place, unless the nazi symbols were removed.

[Unam Sanctam]

Since you are a German architect, I'm curious to know if they will go through with rebuilding the exterior of the Stadtschloss of the former Prussian kings in Berlin. Last I heard they were approved to do it but didn't have the funds. Is that still the case?

[SJackson]

I can't imagine why they wouldn't save it. By Germany's last Nazi era church, I presume the last Church with Nazi iconology?

[VOA]

Thanks for the post. Our Public Broadcasting System recently aired a
documentary on Bonhoeffer. There was one a film clip of a Christmas
celebration in Nazi times: the Christmas tree was topped with a lighted
swastika, instead of a cross or angel figure.
It was simply surreal, at least to American sensibilities.

As for maintaining the building of the Nazi era, I'm for it simply
so that history (good and bad) won't be "erased".
E.g., the uncovering of a old "blacks only" sign in a government building
in Dallas, Texas led to a public outcry to destroy the sign. I think it
should stay so folks don't forget the days when we had legalized apartheid.
What gets me is our liberal groups want us to have amnesia instead.

[Alouette]

It will soon become a mosque.

[freedumb2003]

I was in Tampico, Mexico and they had a very very old church there where the entire floor pattern was all swastikas. Of course, I was a bit startled (but then remembered the swastica predated Naziism by quite some time).

I should have taken pictures.

[Tevin]

univercity

---

good name for ann arbor and palo alto.

[Albion Wilde]

It shows also the prostration of the protestant church in conjunction with nazism. Espechially the protestant church (with a few heroic exclusions like Dietrich Bonhoeffer) was a quagmire of weird nazism. A somehow (at the same time) sick and funny example: They wanted to prove that Jesus was a aryan. Therefore it would be worth to preserve this church. Just to show how close good and bad things are sometimes.

Many parallels to the political situation of today, with the Protestants leading the charge into pan-hedonism and incredible speculation if Christ was married, or gay....

[Alex Murphy]

ping to read later

[P-40]

They wanted to prove that Jesus was a aryan.


Now that would make for an interesting discussion!

[Alexander Rubin]

This is a fascinating dilemna. Especially for me as a Jew

I think they should keep it, but put it into context. I'm not sure if its appropriate as a house of the Lord anymore, but it certainly would be incredible as a museum and important to preserve the aesthetic.

[NZerFromHK]

As a Christian from ethnic Chinese backgrounds I have always wondered how they could mix Christianity with an ideology that adovates ethnic genoicides. I have read literatures about Nazism that say the Nazis did have a plan that, after they conquer the whole world, they will kill off every living person on the planet except white Aryans at the end.

Having a "Church of Nazism" just does not square with the essential Christian gospel.

[Pro-Bush]

History is what it is.

[unionblue83]

Ping!