About The Christuskirche

The Christuskirche is just one of the many historic buildings you’ll come across during your travels around Windhoek. This Lutheran church was designed by Gottlieb Redecker in 1900 and still stands as a testament to German colonial influence in Namibia.

Location

The Christuskirche holds pride of place on a traffic island on Robert Mugabe Avenue at the intersection of Fidel Castro Street opposite the Tintenpalast.

Brief History

The foundation stones of the Christuskirche were laid in 1907 although the history of the church stretches a little further back than that. During 1896, Pastor Heinrich Siebe founded the Windhoek Lutheran congregation which grew large enough to justify the construction of a church within a year.

The wars between the German colony and the local Khoikhoi, Herero, and Owambo put these plans on hold. The foundation stone was eventually laid in 1907, and the church was completed and officially consecrated during 1910.

It is the oldest Evangelical Lutheran church in Namibia and was declared a National Monument on 29 November 1974.

Sunday morning services are still held in the church and are conducted in German.

Christuskirche Activities

Visitors to the Christuskirche will be overwhelmed by the beautiful examples of neo-Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic revival architecture to be seen here. The building is constructed of quartz sandstone mined near Avis Dam. The Carrera marble was imported from Italy, while the clock and roof hail from Germany and the alter bible, altarpiece and plaques were donated by German benefactors.

The spire is 24m tall and the building is adorned with stained glass windows donated by Emperor Wilhelm II. Three large brass bells, manufactured by Franz Schilling are inscribed in German with the sentiments Glory to God in the highest, Peace on earth, and Goodwill towards men.

Things to see nearby include:

• Zoo Park
• Alte Fest
• Tintenpalast
• The National Art Gallery
• Windhoek Botanical Gardens

You can book a guided tour of Windhoek during your stay to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the city’s outstanding cultural and historic sites.

Christuskirche Accommodation

There are plenty of accommodation options available in Windhoek. You can stay in one of the city hotels, self-catering apartments, campsites and B&Bs, or choose a more secluded lodge on the outskirts of town.

Either way, you’ll find no shortage of things to see and do in Windhoek. To make the most of the numerous activities, it’s best to stay in town for a few days before venturing forth to Etosha National Park or other choice Namibian destinations.

Getting There

The Christuskirche is easily accessed from the B1 via Sam Nujoma Drive.

For more information on attractions in Windhoek or to book your accommodation, enquire with Destination Namibia via our contact us page or email, and we will gladly assist you.

Disclaimer
Please Note: The details shared herein were correct at the time of publishing. However, with time some of this information may change. We recommend confirming information with suppliers prior to making final travel arrangements. If you do happen to find an issue with any information we’ve shared here, please feel free to contact us so that we can make the relevant changes.