Die Weidenkirche (The Willow Tree Church)

Sowing the Seeds of Love in a Church with Roots

by Jalina Mhyana
for the Herald Union
Photographs courtesy of the Gartenschau

Imagine exchanging vows in a church constructed entirely of living willow trees bent and woven together to form a miniature gothic cathedral. On the property of Kaiserslautern’s Gartenshau, just behind Dinosaur Park, is the Weidenkirche, a fairy-tale chapel that was constructed – or planted - in 2003. “It is amazing to think of a church that is breathing and drinking, that will die if we don’t take care of it,” said Gartenschau Press Liaison Sandra Laux, “The Weidenkirche is a great example of spirituality and nature coming together.” Metaphorically speaking, every church, and every marriage, starts with a single seed that must be nurtured with prayer and devotion. Weidenkirche is the literal embodiment of the poetry we cultivate in our lives.

The Weidenkirche was inspired by the original willow tree church in Rostock, Germany, which was featured at the 2001 International Gartenschau. Construction was initiated by Klaus Lehmann, who single-handedly hauled hundreds of willow branches from nearby forests to make the project possible. Once on site, he was joined by 70 volunteers - adults and children - who read about the project in the newspaper. Together they worked approximately 6,080 hours planting, weaving, and sculpting a church that sleeps in the winter and awakens with green leaves each spring.


Herr Lehmann sees the church as an inclusive place of worship where people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs can join together in a celebration of life. Depending upon the day, this celebration might involve prayer, Christian services, silent meditation, a poetry reading, or a classical musical performance. If you’d like to visit the Weidenkirche, there are free guided tours every other Sunday at 2 pm (call to reserve your spot in advance), but visitors are also invited to “take a rest and spend some time in contemplation” at any time, on their own.



Pastor Scott Morrison, a Texas native, has lived in Kaiserslautern since 1992, and is the Pastor of Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC). Morrison has meaningful ties to the willow church; not only did he speak the words of dedication at the Weidenkirche dedication ceremony and hold services there throughout the years, but his wife and children volunteered in the church’s construction. “Speaking the words of dedication was a personal highlight for me. It was an extraordinary experience. Attending a church service there intensifies the feeling that it is a very special place.”

To book your wedding at the Weidenkirche, call the Gartenschau ASAP, and be sure to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. The cost for weddings is 200 EUR, which includes use of the church as well as entry for an unlimited number of guests to the Gartenschau complex. You will need to make arrangements for a clergy member to conduct the services. Catering services are available on-site (call Gartenschau for info), but you are also welcome to bring your own food and make use of the beautiful picnic area.

If you’re looking for a fairy tale wedding or are simply in need of a calming respite from the busy world, the Weidenkirche will delight your senses and revitalize your spirit.