How did Sankt Helena in Munich get its name? This church and parish emerged because of the rapid residential development after World War II. These new homes filled the agricultural land between Giesing and Harlaching.
Sankt Helena’s name connects to the mother parish of Heilig Kreuz. Saint Helena, according to tradition, found the true cross of Christ in Jerusalem. The church was named in her honor.
Today Sankt Helena belongs to the Obergiesing parish association. It is part of a group with Heilig Kreuz and K.nigin des Friedens.
Hansjakob Lill designed Sankt Helena in a cross shape. The church was consecrated on October 11 1964. It became a parish church on December 1 1966.
The cross shape of Sankt Helena relates to its patron saint. The shortened arms of the cross create a unique space. This design integrates the community and altar. It places an abstract cross at the center. Sankt Helena offers 480 seats. It can hold 1500 people in total.
Next to Sankt Helena stands a bell tower. It contains six bronze bells. They chime in the sequence b0 – d1 – f1 – g1 – b1 – c2. The bells were cast in 1964 and 1971. You will also find the parish hall, the parish office with living quarters and a kindergarten.
Carl Schuster built Sankt Helena’s organ in 1968. The organ has 31 registers. These are divided across three manuals and a pedal. Johannes F.hrer rebuilt it in 1994. The organ includes various couplers. These are II/I, III/I, III/II, I/P, II/P and III/P. It also has two free combinations. There is one free pedal combination. Other features include Tutti, a crescendo roller and individual reed stops.
Sankt Helena stands near Wettersteinplatz. It is located in the Untergiesing-Harlaching district of Munich.