The architecture of the building is now largely composed of comparatively modern restoration work which took place in the late 19th century and in the post-war period.

Before World War II, the Marienkirche was in the middle of a densely populated part (Marienviertel) of the district of Mitte, and was in regular use as a parish church.

After the war, this area was cleared of ruined buildings and today the church stands in the open spaces around the Alexanderplatz, and is overshadowed by the East Berlin television tower, the Fernsehturm.

The Marienkirche also contains the monumental tomb of Otto Christoph von Sparr, Generalfeldmarschall of Brandenburg-Prussia made by the Flemish sculptor Artus Quellinus the Elder possibly with the assistance of Bartholomeus Eggers.

[2] Carl Hildebrand Freiherr von Canstein, the founder of the oldest Bible society of the world, the Cansteinsche Bibelanstalt, was also buried in the church in 1719.