Sankt Andreas Kyrka (Saint Andrew's Church), Malmo

Saint Andrew's Church in Malmö stands as a modern architectural masterpiece, located at Fridhemstorget in the Slottsstaden district. Consecrated in 1959, it was the first new church to be inaugurated in Malmö since 1907. The church, designed by architects Thorsten Roos and Bror Thornberg, is notable for its clean, plain lines, typical of the 1950s, with a distinctive lack of round shapes. This minimalist approach, paired with the use of Borghamn limestone on both the exterior and interior, gives the church a unique presence among Sweden’s post-World War II ecclesiastical buildings.

Saint Andrew's Church is modeled on the proportions of a Roman basilica, with dimensions echoing the biblical description of Solomon's temple: 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, according to 1 Kings 6. Its 41-meter-high bell tower houses eight bells, a prominent feature that adds to its stately form.

The church is dedicated to Saint Andrew, one of Jesus' first disciples and the younger brother of Simon Peter, continuing the legacy of Malmö's religious history where Saint Peter's Church, the city's oldest parish, connects with this new parish formation. Andrew, traditionally martyred on an X-shaped cross, lends his name to this church, symbolizing the passage from the city's oldest to its youngest parish.

Inside, the church is home to notable works of art by prominent 20th-century artists. A glass window section by Jan Brazda and the chapel windows by Erik Höglund stand out, while the choir area features a fresco by Nils Aron Berge that depicts significant moments from the life of Andrew. The triumphant crucifix in the chancel, carved by Thure Thörn, presents Jesus wearing a crown of victory, symbolizing his triumph over death.

Saint Andrew’s Church is both an architectural and spiritual landmark in Malmö, combining modernist simplicity with profound historical and religious symbolism.