First destroyed, then reinvented: The eventful history of Munich’s St. Matthäus Church

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Analea Schafer

 ·  September 18, 2026

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As one of Munich’s most striking churches, St. Matthäus looks back on an extraordinary history: its predecessor was completely demolished in 1938 by order of the Nazis. Today, the extraordinary postwar building at Sendlinger Tor shapes the cityscape and also serves as an atmospheric setting for concerts, cultural events, and community-building gatherings.

Candlelight concerts are also held regularly at St. Matthäus Church. Bathed in the atmospheric glow of thousands of candles, this unique church is transformed into a stunning concert setting for classical renditions of well-known musical pieces.

An Architectural Masterpiece

The history of St. Matthäus dates back to the 19th century: In 1833, its predecessor was consecrated as Munich’s first Protestant church, before it was demolished in 1938 by order of the Nazis.

It wasn’t until 17 years later that the current church was built at Sendlinger Tor; its curved architecture—so emblematic of the postwar era— quickly became a striking feature of Munich’s cityscape. St. Matthäus Church is an architectural masterpiece in the Neo-Gothic style.

Events at St. Matthäus Church

The interior of the church, with its colorful stained-glass windows and magnificent altar, is interwoven with the building’s eventful past. And today, St. Matthäus Church radiates a wonderful atmosphere.

At the Matthäus Breakfast, a devotional service and a communal breakfast await you every other Thursday at 10 a.m. in the parish hall. Free yoga is also on the program. Once a month on Sundays at 11 a.m., the organ matinee combines three organ pieces with three texts to create a half-hour musical reflection in the church.

And in addition to church services, it regularly serves as a venue for various concerts and cultural events. The candlelight concerts are particularly atmospheric, featuring classical tributes to a variety of renowned artists.

Location and Directions

St. Matthäus Church is centrally located at Sendlinger Tor, making it easily accessible from various parts of Munich. Thanks to the nearby subway, tram, and bus stops, you can easily reach the church by public transportation. St. Matthäus is also just a short walk from Marienplatz.

What makes St. Matthäus Church in Munich so special?

St. Matthäus is the main church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Munich and stands out particularly for its curved postwar architecture. The current building also has an eventful history dating back to the 19th century. It can be admired as you pass through the archway at Sendlinger Tor.

Who had the old St. Matthäus Church demolished?

The demolition was directly ordered by the Nazi leadership: In 1938, Munich’s Gauleiter Adolf Wagner had the church torn down on Adolf Hitler’s orders, as it stood in the way of the planned urban redevelopment in the city center. Despite resistance from the Protestant regional bishop Hans Meiser, St. Matthäus was completely demolished within just three weeks —only the furnishings, bells, and organ could be saved.

Did St. Matthäus Stand in the Way of Hitler’s Plans for Munich?

Officially, St. Matthäus had to make way in 1938 for the Nazis’ monumental redevelopment plans for Munich: Sonnenstraße was to be widened, and an underground railway and new traffic lanes were also planned. Historians, however, see the demolition as a possible demonstration of power against the Protestant Church, whose regional bishop, Hans Meiser, opposed alignment with the Reich Church.

Nearby venues in Munich

Not far from St. Matthäus Church are the Deutsches Theaterand the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, while the city’s well-known concert venues also include the Herkulessaal in the Residenz and the Isarphilharmonie . Those who want to experience even more live music can discover additional candlelight venues in Munich as well as the city’s diverse selection of classical concerts.