The neo-Gothic Church of St. Matthias, located on Berlin’s Winterfeldplatz square, was the target of two arson attempts in the early hours of Friday, March 1

Newsroom (28/03/2024 15:00, Gaudium Press)  The neo-Gothic church of St. Matthias, located on Berlin’s Winterfeldplatz square, was the target of two arson attempts in the early hours of Friday, March 1.

At around 2:30 a.m., a man walking along the street noticed a pile of burning boards next to the church’s main door. The man, 36, managed to remove the boards. The flames partially damaged the main entrance to the church.

At around 3:10 in the morning, another man, 26, noticed more boards burning on a side door of the church. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames, which had already badly damaged the side door.

Father Josef Wieneke, parish priest of St. Matthias, believes it was a premeditated attack. The church is a historical heritage site and has been the target of vandalism and political graffiti in the past. However, the attempted arson this morning is quite blatant and criminal, the priest explained.

The Fire Department is investigating the case on suspicion of attempted arson, the local police said.

The church of San Matias is a Gothic-style building built in the 19th century. A 60-meter-high tower attracts the attention of passers-by. The building is considered a historical heritage site. Despite being located in the center of Berlin, the church has the particularity of belonging to the diocese of Münster, 400 kilometers from Berlin. (FM)

Compiled by Florence MacDonald