Redesign proposal for Maria Schutz altar room in Munich church: Suggestions for its transformation by an artist.
Modernization Underway at Maria Schutz Church in Munich's Pasing Neighborhood
Munich, Germany - The Maria Schutz Church in Pasing is undergoing a transformation with a Munich-based artist set to revamp the altar area, giving it a contemporary aesthetic.
Parish priest Alois Emslander offered a preview of the proposed design, which incorporates suggestions from the community and focuses on creating a more open and welcoming sacred space. The new altar, to be inaugurated in winter, will feature a wave-like shape, reminiscent of the long cloak of the patron saint depicted in the church's front wall painting, and will utilize cast concrete instead of the current heavy wooden elements.
The pulpit and ambo will also move closer to the church pews, reducing the distance between the congregation and the speakers. New seating elements, or sedilia, will only be equipped with seat pads, and all of these adjustments will rest on a new, dismantlable oak podium towards the choir. The choir itself remains unchanged, with the bright concrete intended to create contrast and illuminate the space.
The altar renovation carries a total price tag of €240,000. The Verein Ausstellungshaus Christliche Kunst in Munich contributes €40,000, the diocese €40,000, and the remaining funds are contributed by the church community and donations. The materials for the project were sourced regionally, with wood from Passau, lamps from Unterhaching, and artificial stonework provided by a cement plant in Waldkraiburg.
The inauguration is scheduled for November 30, during the first Advent, with a grand ceremonial service in the presence of Cardinal Reinhard Marx. To stay updated on the latest stories from Munich, subscribe to the Hallo Munich newsletter or download the "Hallo Munich" app.
The interior design of the Maria Schutz Church, set to be modernized, aligns with the overall lifestyle trend of contemporary spaces, particularly in home-and-garden settings. The renovation, encompassing the altar, pulpit, ambo, and new seating elements, aims to create a more inviting and open ambiance within the sacred space.
