A centre for three religions in Berlin

“Three religions. One house” – this is the motto of a globally unique project that is underway in Berlin. In the House of One, a synagogue, a church and a mosque are to be built under one roof in the capital of Germany. The initiators talk of a “space of encounter” for people of different religions and also for those who are not religious.

How did the idea for the House of One come about?

This project in support of all religions was initiated in 2011 by a protestant congregation, a Jewish community together with a rabbinical seminary and a Muslim dialogue initiative. “It will be a place in which justice, peace and reconciliation dwell,” says Protestant pastor Gregor Hohberg, describing the vision of the project. Hohberg has joined together with Imam Kadir Sanci and Rabbi Andreas Nachama to form the Executive Committee.

What will the House of One look like?

Three separate prayer rooms are planned which are to be connected by a domed hall as a meeting space. The House of One Foundation describes the planned architecture as follows: “It will enable people to withdraw and pray in their own tradition but it will equally promote opportunities to meet others, learn from each other and seek out what it is that unites us all.” An architectural competition was held to create the design in 2012, and the foundation stone was laid in 2021. 

What are the initiators’ expectations of the project?

“The House of One is intended as a place for which the religious communities themselves are responsible and which, with its innovative architecture, creates its own atmosphere in which Jews, Christians and Muslims can co-exist peacefully and without prejudice,” the Foundation explains. The Federal Government and the state of Berlin are providing subsidies of some 30 million euros for the construction of the centre, while the communication activities – e.g. a House of One podcast – are being supported by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs under the programme Live Democracy!