Traces of faith
Churches worth seeing in Schmallenberg Sauerland and the monastery Grafschaft
In the Schmallenberger Sauerland you will find numerous visible signs of faith in all the villages, along the roads and paths and in the midst of nature. From culturally and historically significant buildings with unique murals and important organ buildings to small, village chapels and countless wayside shrines and wooden crosses. We invite you to visit these places. Enjoy the tranquillity and special atmosphere there.
Monastery Grafschaft
The former Benedictine abbey was founded in 1072 by Archbishop Anno II of Cologne. The monastery building was built in the Baroque style between 1727 and 1742; the basement of the west tower dates back to the founding years. The "Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo" have had a center of faith here since 1948. The convent is also home to Grafschaft is also home to a specialist hospital that is known beyond the country's borders.
The 925th anniversary of the founding of the monastery Grafschaft was the reason for the opening of a museum on the art and history of the monastery in May 1997. In addition to the baroque monastery building, the museum displays liturgical objects, paraments, books from the monastery library and relics, which provide an insight into Benedictine and Borromean monastic culture.
On individual guided tours with the historian Barbara Rickert, you will discover the eventful building history and the diverse uses of the monastery complex up to the present day. Be fascinated by the valuable treasures of church art in the museum and immerse yourself in the spirituality of the place.
The museum is open on Wednesdays & Sundays from 14:00 to 16:00.
Kongregation der barmherzigen Schwestern vom hl. Karl Borromäus
Motherhouse convent Grafschaft
Hauptstraße
57392 Schmallenberg
Phone: 02972 79100
Fax: 02972 791245
St. Cyriakus
As early as 1220, the inhabitants of Berghausen and the surrounding villages built this parish church. From the very beginning, St. Cyriacus, deacon and martyr, has been the patron saint of what is probably the oldest church in the Sauerland.
Of particular art-historical significance is the apse painting, one of the few well-preserved Romanesque wall paintings in Germany.
Open for viewing daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pastoral area Dorlar-Wormbach
Parish Office Wormbach
Phone: 02972 36485-30
Mail: pfarrbuero.Wormbach@pv-se .de
St. Peter und Paul
Visit one of the oldest and most art-historically significant parish churches in the Sauerland. Wormbach is commonly referred to as the "original parish" of the Sauerland. In pagan times Wormbach place of worship.
The parish church was built in 1250 as a late Romanesque hall church with three naves and three bays. The ceiling painting with twelve signs of the zodiac is famous, and there is also a depiction of the "Last Judgement" in the apse.
For over 300 years, the "Walburgawoche" has been held every year in May, the worship of which is an important part of local religious life.
Open for viewing daily from 10.00 - 18.00 hrs.
Guided tours always take place on Sundays after the church service (11.20 am). To register, please call 02972 97550.
Pastoral area Dorlar-Wormbach
Parish Office Wormbach
Phone: 02972 36485-30
Mail: pfarrbuero.Wormbach@pv-se .de
Address of the church: Alt Wormbach 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
St. Vincentius
The small, single-nave church building in Lenne originally only consisted of two vaulted bays of the current nave and the choir rectangle. This core building was first mentioned in a document in 1221 as "capella in Lene". The Romanesque church has always been dedicated to the martyr Vincentius.
Open daily for viewing.
09.00 - 18.00 (summer months)
09.00 - 17.00 (winter months)
Church guides for reading are available in the church's bookstall, €1.50 each.
Parish office Schmallenberg
Church square 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
Phone 02972 5778
pfarrbuero.Fleckenberg@pv-se.de
Address of the church: Kirchplatz 2, 57392 Schmallenberg-Lenne
St. Alexander
Built in the middle of the 13th century as a hall church of the South Westphalian type, St. Alexander was extended in 1905/06 with a new building with a semicircular apse and two choir flank towers in the early Gothic style.
Inside, there are interesting remnants of the original Baroque furnishings and five wooden sculptures. Also noteworthy is the Nazarene-style altar dedicated to the town's patron saint, St. Valentine. On the left-hand side is the late Gothic sacrament house, which was built before 1500.
The new church tower was consecrated in September 2004.
Open for viewing during the day from 09.00 - 18.00.
Parish office Schmallenberg
Phone 02972 36485-0
pfarrbuero.Schmallenberg@pv-se.de
Address of the church: Kirchplatz 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
St. Cosmas und Damian
The nave of the parish church Bödefeld was built in 1910/11 in the neo-baroque style according to plans by the Aachen cathedral architect Josef Buchkrämer. The tower dates back to 1750 and the interior to 1724.
The tower contains the "Black Hand" of Bödefeldwhich is the subject of numerous legends.
Open for viewing during the day from 09:00 - 18:00.
During this time, only the central entrance with access to the tower and the "Black Hand" is open. The rest of the church is fenced off with bars and is only open during church services.
Parish office Bödefeld
Kreuzbergstraße 3, 57392 Schmallenberg-Bödefeld
Address of the church: Kreuzbergstraße 7, 57392 Schmallenberg-Bödefeld
St. Pankratius
Built in the middle of the 19th century, the parish church in Reiste is a worthwhile destination for lovers of sacred art. In addition to numerous ornate figures and the Gothic high altar from 1881, the organ built in 1633 is worth mentioning. It comes from the old monastery church in Grafschaft and has been a listed building for many years.
The church St. Pankratius in Reiste is open to visitors daily from 09.00 - 18.00 hrs.
Parish office Reiste
Kirchstraße 9, 59889 Eslohe-Reiste
Phone 02973 3223
Address of the church: Mescheder Str. 36, 59889 Eslohe
One of the most important organs can be found in the parish church in Reiste. It was originally built in the 17th century for the monastery Grafschaft and since then has experienced a varied history at different locations in Reiste and with various conversions and extensions.
Today, a dedicated committee in Reiste takes care of the "Queen of Instruments", which still sounds good today. All information about the "Reister Organ" initiative can be found here:
The current Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was built in 1983/84. Built according to the plans of the architect Johannes Reuter from Kassel, this building is certainly a successful example of contemporary church architecture, built among other things with the typical regional graywacke stones of the previous church. The historic organ comes from London. It was renovated by a local organ builder and installed and inaugurated in the church in 2009.
In the fall of 2015, the Herz-Jesu Kirche was fitted with a light installation and can be personalized with lighting and music to suit your mood.
The interior of the church is given a subtle color scheme according to how you are feeling at the moment. You will hear music and meditative thoughts to match. The themes change again and again. If you visit the church repeatedly, you will also find new devotions for the corresponding church times, meditations for the times of day or a musical program. There are also activities for young people as well as Bible stories for children, accompanied by music.
For information, please contact Monika Winzenick (monika.winzenick@pv-se.de) 02972 3648516.
Daily 09:00 to 18:00
Parish office Gleidorf
Kirchstr. 6 a
57392 Schmallenberg-Gleidorf
Phone: 02972/5845
Fax: 02972/5845
E-Mail: Parish office.Gleidorf@pv-se.de