- Steinmeier views Garrison Church as a chance for democratic advancement.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the country's head of state, viewed the reconstructed tower of the Garrison Church as a symbol of democracy. He stated during the opening ceremony, "Let's strive to transform this place, which hasn't been much of a democracy for most of its history, into a beacon of democracy." Steinmeier emphasized the historical duty we bear and the societal task at hand.
March 21, 1933, marked the debut of the first Reichstag post Nazi takeover, within this church in Potsdam. This day, then-President Paul von Hindenburg and the newly appointed Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler shook hands before the Garrison Church.
The reconstruction project has sparked debate. Steinmeier insisted that the tower serves as a reminder, a call for distinction yet no forgetting. "We vehemently reject any effort to absolve Germany of its responsibility or tarnish our culture of remembrance as a cult of guilt." Steinmeier is the champion of this controversial restoration project.
Some 100+ protesters from the "Citizens for a Potsdam Without the Garrison Church" initiative voiced their opposition. They perceive the church as an emblem of terror and militarism, as a sign read, "Nazi church against the citizens' will." The "Learning Site Garrison Church" of the Christian Martin Niemöller Foundation also opposes the project.
The church's past has been tumultuous – no plans for the nave's reconstruction.
The Protestant Church aims to transform the new building into a hub for peacework and democratic education. An exhibition titled "Faith, Power, and Military" will delve into the complex history with a critical perspective.
The military church from 1735 met its demise in World War II. Its ruins were levelled in 1968, on the orders from the East German administration. The new tower's construction commenced in 2017, mirroring the original architectural design. Initiatives for this project date back nearly 2 decades. The tower's construction cost approximately 42 million euros, primarily funded by the federal government. Plans for the nave's reconstruction are non-existent.
From Friday, the tower will be accessible to the public. The 57-meter viewing platform's intention is to draw in visitors. Although the tower is not yet completed - a 30-meter-high dome is set to be added in 2026, making it Potsdam's tallest structure at 90 meters.
The debate surrounding the reconstruction of the Garrison Church has led some to view it as a symbol of National Socialism, given its historical significance during the Nazi era when then-President Paul von Hindenburg and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler held a public ceremony inside. Steinmeier, however, advocates for the tower as a reminder and call for distinction without forgetting, rejecting any attempts to absolve Germany of its responsibility or tarnish the culture of remembrance.
