Gazing upon Matthäuskirche, can you imagine this grand structure almost vanishing from Frankfurt’s skyline? Matthäuskirche stands as a testament to resilience. It has weathered storms both literal and figurative. This Protestant church, nestled between the bustling Messegelände and Hauptbahnhof, has a rich history interwoven with the fabric of Frankfurt.
Matthäuskirche first graced Frankfurt in 1905. Architect Friedrich Pützer blended neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance, and neo-Baroque styles. The result was a striking edifice. It featured pointed arches, ornate gables, and a distinctive onion-domed tower. Imagine the vibrant hues of the original stained-glass windows. They were crafted by the renowned Frankfurt workshop of Rudolf and Otto Linnemann. This church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a community hub. It housed not only the sanctuary but also meeting rooms and even apartments for the clergy. It served both the affluent southern Westend and the working-class Gallusviertel.
Matthäuskirche’s story took a tragic turn during World War II. The church was devastated in the 1944 air raids. Yet, from the ashes, a new Matthäuskirche emerged. Between 1952 and 1955, Oberbaurat Ernst Görcke oversaw its reconstruction. The new design, while modern, echoed the spirit of the original. Some parts of the ground floor survived the bombings and were incorporated into the new structure. Interestingly, the tower, though largely intact, was partially deconstructed. Its iconic onion dome was replaced with a simpler, rectangular bell tower. The reborn Matthäuskirche boasted impressive artwork. It included an altar wall relief by Hans Mettel, pulpit reliefs by Hans-Bernt Gebhardt, and stunning new stained-glass windows by Georg Meistermann. With 1,250 seats, it was Frankfurt’s largest Protestant church at the time.
However, changing demographics led to a decline in its congregation. By the 1990s, attendance had dwindled. In 1997, the Evangelical Regional Association even considered demolishing Matthäuskirche. The church, designed for 600, often saw only a handful of worshippers. The plan was to sell the valuable land. However, the weak real estate market and strong opposition from the community stalled these plans.
The Hoffnungsgemeinde, which calls Matthäuskirche home, fought fiercely to save their beloved church. They even took legal action. An innovative compromise emerged from architect Jochem Jourdan. He proposed integrating parts of the church, including its tower, into a new high-rise development. While the original sale fell through, the idea took root. In 2007, the Hoffnungsgemeinde agreed to a sale. It came with conditions: preserving the tower, windows, pulpit, sandstone relief, and the main sanctuary.
Today, Matthäuskirche continues to serve its community. It is a beacon of hope, aptly renamed the Hope Church. It even participates in the Luminale light art festival. It showcases stunning displays of light and video art projected onto its historic walls. This story of Matthäuskirche is one of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of community.