The sandstone
Warm walls under a pointed red roof.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · JalenPhotos — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christoph Strässler — CC BY-SA 2.0
Christ Church is a Lutheran church on a traffic island in central Windhoek and one of the Namibian capital's best-known landmarks. It catches the eye with warm sandstone walls and a pointed red roof, and it belongs to the German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. Designed by the architect Gottlieb Redecker, it had its foundation stone laid on 11 August 1907 and was dedicated on 16 October 1910, first known as the Church of Peace. It was built from local quartz sandstone in a mix of neo-Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival styles. In a curious episode in 1960, the clapper of the main bell came loose during a service, smashed through a window and fell on the street, after which window bars were fitted. The portico came from Carrara marble imported from Italy, while the clock and part of the roof were shipped from Germany, along with three bronze bells cast by Franz Schilling and inscribed with words of glory and peace. The stained glass windows were a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II. In the late 1990s a tourist noticed the sun protection shields had been fitted on the inside, and all the windows were refitted over two years. The church stands opposite the Tintenpalast, about 200 m away in a straight line, so the two fit into a short walk. Busy roads surround it, so cross at the marked points. It is a working church, so dress modestly and keep your voice down, and check opening times, as you may only be able to see it from outside at some hours.
Warm walls under a pointed red roof.
An entrance of Italian marble.
A gift from Emperor Wilhelm II.
Robert Mugabe Avenue, central Windhoek, Namibia
Not always, as it is a working church, so check opening times.
The Tintenpalast opposite, about 200 m away in a straight line.
