Munich, June 21, 2026 – The Protestant St. Johannes Church in the Haidhausen district of Munich will remain closed until shortly before Christmas due to significant fire damage. The extent of the damage, initially underestimated, necessitates comprehensive cleaning and repair work, as announced by the parish on Friday. No events will be able to take place in the church during this period.
Ecumenical Support from Catholic Neighbors
Crucially, assistance has come from the Catholic Haidhausen parish association. Their churches will host the Protestant Sunday services in the coming months, ensuring the continuity of the community’s spiritual life. The children’s choir (Singschule) has also found rehearsal rooms in the Gasteig cultural center until the summer holidays.
“I am touched and grateful for the immense support we have received in our search for alternative venues,” stated Pastor Nina Spehr. She highlighted that Salesian Father Alfons Friedrich from Haidhausen immediately pledged fraternal assistance.
Extensive Damage and High Repair Costs
Following an arson attack at the end of May, soot particles have settled throughout the entire church interior. These will require a specialized cleaning process. Multiple lifting platforms will be deployed simultaneously within the church for this purpose. The contaminated organ will need to be specially dismantled for cleaning. The estimated damage has now escalated to a high six-figure sum.
Arsonist Identified and Apprehended
On June 16, a 27-year-old German man without a permanent residence reported to the Munich police, claiming responsibility for the arson. Officers arrested the man, who was subsequently placed in an appropriate facility due to identified psychological problems.
History and Reconstruction of St. Johannes Church
St. Johannes is one of the four original Protestant parishes in Munich named after an Evangelist. The current church building on Preysingplatz was constructed between 1914 and 1916, designed by Munich architect Albert Schmidt. During World War II, the church was severely damaged by bombs and subsequently rebuilt by 1952. Most recently, extensive renovations to the roof and facade were carried out from 2022 to 2024.
Community Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the significant setback, the St. Johannes community is demonstrating remarkable resilience, bolstered by the solidarity shown by its Catholic neighbors. This ecumenical cooperation ensures that despite the closure of their main place of worship, the spiritual and communal life of the Protestant parish can continue uninterrupted until the church is restored.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of cultural and religious sites to acts of vandalism, but also highlights the strength of interfaith cooperation in times of crisis. The ongoing investigation by the Munich police aims to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the arson.
The parish has expressed its gratitude for the outpouring of support from both religious institutions and the wider community, which will be crucial in the lengthy process of restoration. Updates on the cleaning and repair schedule will be provided by the parish as work progresses.
Source: KNA
