A Protestant sanctuary in Steglitz built to replace the cramped village church that preceded it, Matthew Church stands as a late-19th-century urban expansion project that still anchors its neighborhood.
At a glance
Matthew Church (Matthäuskirche) is a Protestant church in the Steglitz district of Berlin. Completed in 1880, it was erected to address the inadequacy of the original village church. The complex includes a parish hall, rectory, and cemetery, all now protected as listed structures.
History
The earlier Steglitzer village church had become undersized and deteriorated, prompting the decision to build anew. Construction ran from 1876 to 1880, a period of significant growth in Berlin’s outer districts. The new church inaugurated its three naves in 1880, establishing a larger, more substantial place of worship for the expanding Protestant community.
What you see
Architect Emil Gette designed the church with three naves—a tripartite plan common in 19th-century Protestant architecture. The building reflects the period’s ecclesiastical ambitions: a departure from the modest village chapel toward a structure befitting an urbanizing suburb.
Cultural significance
Matthew Church represents the religious infrastructure demands of Berlin’s rapid expansion beyond the city center. Its construction illustrates how 19th-century urban growth necessitated larger, purpose-built houses of worship to replace aging village facilities.
Key facts
- Country: Germany
- City: Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Berlin
- Built: 1876–1880
- Architect: Emil Gette
- Coordinates: 52.4561°N, 13.3182°E
- Status: Protected as listed structure (church, parish hall, rectory, cemetery)
Practical information & getting there
Matthew Church is located in the Steglitz district of Berlin. The site remains an active Protestant parish. For current visiting hours and service times, contact the church directly or consult Berlin’s Protestant church directory.
Sources & resources
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