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The History of All Saints Church
From U.S. Army chapel to local Church home
All Saints Catholic Community in Berlin worships in a church with a unique and deeply symbolic history. The church on Hüttenweg 46 in Dahlem was originally built by the United States Army and consecrated as the United States Army Chapel on 14 December 1957, serving the American military community in West Berlin during the Cold War. In those years it stood as a visible sign of hope and freedom in a divided city, an ecumenical place of worship used by Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities, and a spiritual home for countless soldiers and their families stationed far from home.
“his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
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Our History
From War to Peace & reconciliation
With the withdrawal of Allied forces from Berlin in 1994, the American military community and its chaplains left the city, and responsibility for the Hüttenweg chapel passed to the civil authorities of the borough of Steglitz‑Zehlendorf. A small group of around 35 English‑speaking Catholic parishioners who had worshipped at the chapel recognised how important this place could remain for future Americans, Germans, and others seeking an English‑speaking Catholic “home away from home” in Berlin. They began to gather as a new community, determined to preserve the church as a house of prayer and welcome for the years to come
Founding of Friends of All Saints e.V.
Because many different groups were interested in taking over the Hüttenweg site, the community needed a clear legal and financial structure in order to secure its future. After a period of intense competition, parish members founded the “Friends of All Saints” (Friends of All Saints e.V.), a non‑profit association created to assume responsibility for the control and operation of the entire facility. The Archdiocese of Berlin played a crucial role at this time, providing significant financial and moral support to keep the fledgling English‑speaking community alive until the association was firmly established. Today the building is leased from the district of Steglitz‑Zehlendorf and the Friends of All Saints share the facilities with other faith communities.
A shared house of worship
The Hüttenweg complex was conceived from the beginning as a “house of tolerance”, and that spirit continues today. The site includes the main church, a Blessed Sacrament chapel, parish hall and meeting rooms, and it is currently used by several Christian communities and, until recently, the Berlin Jewish community, celebrated services there as a synagogue. All Saints shares the facilities with the Protestant Faith Fellowship, and Crossway International Baptist Church, continuing the legacy of the former U.S. Army Chapel as a vibrant spiritual centre open to many traditions.
Growth of the English‑speaking Catholic community
From its modest beginnings after the military withdrawal, All Saints has grown into an active English‑speaking Roman Catholic community of about 400 members, drawing people from many nations and backgrounds. Priests from the Berlin Jesuit community, the English‑speaking Mission of the Archdiocese, and the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) regularly celebrate Sunday Mass at 10:00, supported by a wide range of lay ministries and volunteers. The community is founded as a self‑supporting parish family: members contribute financially through the Friends of All Saints and offer their time and talents so that worship, Catechesis, and pastoral life at Hüttenweg can flourish.
A living legacy of freedom and faith
Looking back over more than half a century, the church on Hüttenweg remains closely linked to the history of West Berlin as a free outpost during the Cold War. What was once a military chapel and a “shining beacon of freedom in a hostile sea” is now All Saints Church, a signpost of faith, welcome, and unity for the English‑speaking Catholic community and its neighbours. Jubilee celebrations, shared liturgies, ecumenical events and parish gatherings bear witness to a community still guided by the Holy Spirit, grateful for those who stood firm in difficult times and committed to keeping this holy place of worship alive for future generations.
A House of Faith, A Witness to History
All Saints is not only a living community of faith but also a building with a rich history and striking architecture. Designed in a modern, clear style typical of the 1950s and consecrated as the United States Army Chapel, the church combines simple brickwork, strong lines, and generous light to create a prayerful space that is both dignified and welcoming. Its origins as a Cold War chapel and its ongoing use by several faith communities make it a visible sign of reconciliation, freedom, and shared worship in Berlin
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Allied Museum
Tour the only, still-active icon of the cold war
If you are interested in the history of the former U.S. Army Chapel or would like to learn more about the architecture of All Saints and its significance in post‑war Berlin, guided visits can be arranged. Groups, school classes, veterans and private individuals are warmly invited to contact the parish office or use the website form to enquire about historical and architectural tours of the church and its grounds.
Tip! Visitors frequently combine a visit to All Saints with a trip to the nearby Allied Museum. (1.2km away - a 15 min to 20 min stroll at a comfortable pace)
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