Matthäuskirche Salzburg

Could a church be born from a caravan and a concrete cross? Here at the Matthäuskirche Salzburg, it absolutely was. This isn’t your typical baroque cathedral. The Matthäuskirche emerged from the post-war shifts of Salzburg, a testament to resilience and community. After World War II, Salzburg saw an influx of refugees, many of whom were Protestant. Services began humbly, in a military vicarage on Bayernstraße, later expanding to a nursing home and even the Siezenheim barracks. As the Taxham housing development grew, so did the need for a dedicated Protestant presence. Pastor Nils Koblanck, a pivotal figure in the Matthäuskirche’s story, shepherded the burgeoning congregation for 36 years. Starting in 1966, services were held in a Catholic emergency church in Taxham. Children’s services, remarkably, took place in a caravan led by Mrs. Nell Pearson. Imagine, a caravan as a beacon of faith! This makeshift arrangement highlighted the growing need for a permanent space. The Matthäuskirche, as we see it today, was inaugurated on October 25, 1969. The land was provided by the State of Salzburg. Architects Hans Laimer and Eugen Salpius designed the unique tent-roofed structure, built from reinforced concrete. A striking feature is the freestanding bell tower and the entrance beneath a concrete cross. Two bells and an organ were added in 1972, with Jutta Sigmund serving as organist since 1966. The Matthäuskirche continued to evolve. In 1999, a new Rieger organ was installed behind the altar. Architect Günther Marschall redesigned the lighting and altar area, incorporating the original Christ sculpture. This sculpture symbolizes the resurrection, rising from the cross. Even a kindergarten, established in 1969 and initially led by Melitta Bacher, became part of the Matthäuskirche community, nestled behind the church with a large garden for the children. Originally a daughter church of Christuskirche, the Matthäuskirche became an independent parish in 1994. The square in front of the church, beautified in 1983, was renamed Martin Luther Platz in 2007 to commemorate Luther’s 500th birthday. The Matthäuskirche is more than just concrete and steel. It represents a community built on hope, resilience, and a caravan full of prayers. It’s a story of Salzburg’s changing landscape and the enduring power of faith.