St. Thomas Morus

Hidden within the vibrant tapestry of Munich’s Sendling-Westpark district stands St. Thomas Morus. This modern church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a testament to community spirit and a beacon of architectural innovation. St. Thomas Morus emerged from the burgeoning post-war parish of St. Heinrich in 1964. Initially a parish curacy, it drew additional territory from St. Achaz and St. Margaret. The church’s story began in a tent. This tent, a relic of the 37th Eucharistic World Congress, hosted services from December 1964. Construction on the present St. Thomas Morus began in the spring of 1965. The cornerstone, laid in October of that year, contains a piece of history. A stone from St. Dunstan’s Church in Canterbury, the final resting place of St. Thomas More’s head, is embedded within it. The church was consecrated on December 4, 1966. St. Thomas Morus stands as a unique architectural marvel. Designed by parishioner Karl Jantsch, the church building, sacristy, parish house, and kindergarten form a cohesive unit. The 44-meter campanile, topped with a 5-meter concrete cross, dominates the skyline. Listen closely. You might hear the resonance of the 600 kg bell, donated by Jantsch himself. The church’s bell-shaped floor plan expands from 32 meters at the south end to 17 meters at the altar in the north. The curved roof ascends towards the altar wall, reaching a height of 22 meters. Pre-fabricated concrete elements and exposed brickwork form the structure. The roof is a blend of concrete beams, a concrete ceiling, and a wooden framework. The entire structure is capped with copper. St. Thomas Morus houses one of Germany’s largest stained-glass windows. This 131 square meter masterpiece by parishioner Christian Wolf dominates the south wall. Its 252 panels depict the Second Coming of Christ. The main altar, crafted from Michelnau tuff, stands beneath a 5-meter metal cross, also designed by Wolf. A 1.5-meter wooden Madonna by Pius Malsiner shelters a family and people of different races, including a priest resembling the first pastor, Erwin Hausladen. Even within a modern structure, St. Thomas Morus holds pieces of history. A genuine mortuary bier from Aufkirchen am Starnberger See resides within. So too does a replica of the Gröden Cross, originally created for the Sürasass above Gröden Valley. St. Thomas Morus is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a living testament to a community’s faith and artistic vision.