Kirche Schönow, Modern church in Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Germany

Kirche Schönow is a tent-like hall church in Berlin-Zehlendorf, designed by Frei Otto and Ewald Bubner. Its steep, dark-wood-clad roof rests on three-legged precast concrete supports, and the gable walls are fully glazed, revealing the interior from outside. A freestanding 24-metre steel lattice bell tower stands beside it, linked by a pergola.

The building was created after World War II and designed by architects Frei Otto and Ewald Bubner. It opened in May 1961 with Bishop Otto Dibelius conducting the dedication ceremony.

The parish name Schönow-Buschgraben dates from the 2000 merger of the Schönow congregation with the Buschgraben congregation founded in 1972. Since 2018 the parish has formed a shared district with the Zur Heimat and Stephanus congregations within the Teltow-Zehlendorf church district. The interior holds a carved wooden African Madonna alongside the red sandstone altar, pulpit and font designed by Frei Otto.

The interior is arranged flexibly and can be adapted for different events and gatherings. Visitors should check accessibility beforehand since the building has stairs and level changes throughout the space.

The 24-metre steel lattice tower is made of twelve skeletal cubic sections stacked on a square plan, topped by a white illuminated cross. Three bronze bells cast in 1963 by Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock hang inside. A wide canopy on light supports links the tower to the single-storey community rooms.