The enduring essence of the churches in Nordstadt will survive
Preserving Dortmund's Endangered Churches: A New Series Shines Light on Rich History
In a bid to protect and preserve the cultural and historical memory of Dortmund's endangered churches, a new brochure series titled "Against Forgetting. Endangered Dortmund Churches" has been launched. This collection, which covers various churches under threat due to decay, redevelopment pressures, or declining congregation sizes, aims to shed light on these architectural gems and the urgent need for preservation efforts.
The series kicks off with four brochures, each focusing on one church: Pauluskirche (Paul’s Church), Evangelische Stadtkirche (Protestant City Church), Reinoldikirche (St. Reinold’s Church), and Propsteikirche St. Peter und Paul (Deanery Church of St. Peter and Paul). Each brochure offers a detailed account of the church's history, architecture, and current status.
Brigitte Spieker, a former employee of the disbanded Documentation Center for Dortmund Church History, expertly presents the church building and its history in these publications. The series combines text and images, offering a unique and engaging perspective on these endangered churches.
Each brochure is priced at 7.90 euros and ranges from 48 to 64 pages in length. The quality of the photographs, many of which were taken by Rolf-Jürgen Spieker, is truly remarkable. The series adds great value through these images, providing a visual tour of the churches' interiors, including the cross and altar, pulpit and organ, liturgical vessels, stained-glass windows, individual stations of the cross, nativity figures, and more.
The series also includes an appendix that presents the artists and craftsmen who worked on the churches by name. Further brochures on St. Joseph, Holy Trinity, and Holy Spirit are in preparation.
The parish office, located at Heroldstraße 13a, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, where these booklets can be purchased. Each publication is A4-sized, with excellent paper and photo quality.
This initiative is part of broader efforts within Dortmund to document and protect architectural heritage under threat. By engaging local communities and heritage professionals in conservation dialogue, the city hopes to ensure these historical treasures are preserved for future generations.
The "Against Forgetting. Endangered Dortmund Churches" series is more than just a collection of brochures; it's a testament to the Spiekers' dedication to preserving memories of endangered churches. Through this series, they are not only documenting these churches but also highlighting their particularities and the unique stories they hold.
- The "Against Forgetting. Endangered Dortmund Churches" series extends beyond architecture, delving into the world of art and lifestyle, as each brochure presents a rich tapestry of history, architecture, and cultural significance.
- In the realm of home and garden, this series offers a glimpse into the intricate details of each church, showcasing the beauty of stained-glass windows, nativity figures, and other works of fashion-and-beauty craftsmanship, making these religious spaces a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados alike.
