St. Amandus Church in Datteln, located in the heart of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, is a stunning example of historical resilience and architectural evolution. This Roman Catholic parish church, protected as a historic monument, stands as a testament to centuries of faith, community, and artistic heritage.
The origins of St. Amandus Church date back to at least the 9th century, when it is believed that a private church existed on the royal estate of Hofstedde. However, the first documented mention of the church came in a papal bull issued by Pope Eugene III on June 17, 1147, confirming that the Abbey of St. Heribert in Deutz owned the church in Datteln.
The earliest church building was likely a modest structure made of wood and clay. The oldest surviving part of the church, the West Tower, also known as the Old Tower, dates back to around 1250 and was constructed in the Romanesque style. This tower, originally crowned with a tent roof, has witnessed numerous transformations and expansions over the centuries.
In the early 15th century, the community began planning a new church, evidenced by numerous donations. By the end of the century, construction of a Gothic hall church commenced, which was approximately the size of the current transept. This asymmetrical space consisted of a main nave and a side nave on the north side, where the sacristy and choir are now located. The church was likely completed around 1520, with the Romanesque tower receiving a steep spire and continuing to serve as the entrance.
St. Amandus Church underwent significant renovations in the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries. However, the most substantial changes occurred between 1911 and 1913 when the church was expanded to its current layout. The building was extended in the Neo-Gothic style, adding a transept that became the new main nave, along with two side naves. The old nave was repurposed as a transept, and a new southern tower, known as the New Tower, was constructed at the southeast corner of the new building. The church was then accessed from Heibeckstraße, with the main entrance now located behind the altar in the choir area. Bishop Johannes Poggenburg consecrated the newly expanded church on April 30, 1914.
Tragically, the church was almost entirely destroyed during a bombing raid on March 9, 1945, during World War II. Only the lower part of the Old Tower, the New Tower, and some exterior walls and columns remained standing. The church was rebuilt on its original footprint, and a memorial stone was placed on October 24, 1948. The high altar was relocated to the north wall, and the new main entrance was established on the south side, next to the New Tower. Auxiliary Bishop Heinrich Roleff consecrated the new altar on December 4, 1949.
The Old Tower received a bronze portal during its 1958 renovation, and the interior was redesigned in 1983-1984, creating an altar island and removing the side altars and pulpit. The coffered ceiling was given a colorful paint job, and the arcade arches were adorned with ornamental designs.
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One of the most valuable pieces of art in St. Amandus Church is the Amandus Cross. This cross features Christ depicted in a tunic, in the style of the Volto Santo, symbolizing the Resurrected Christ. While the cross itself is of more recent origin, the corpus dates back to the 12th century. According to tradition, this Romanesque corpus contains relics of St. Amandus. A variety of votive offerings attests to the veneration of this cross. In April 2014, a radiographic examination conducted at St. Vincent's Hospital confirmed the presence of human bone fragments within the corpus, including parts of a femur, sternum, and rib, though their exact origin remains uncertain.
The sacrament house in the baptismal chapel, crafted around 1520 in the workshop of Berndt Bunickmann in Münster, is another notable artifact. Although only minimal remnants of its original paintwork remain, the richly decorated house, shaped like a tower, features figures of saints and scenes of the Annunciation.
Additionally, the church houses a sacrament niche with a cross flower from the late 16th century, which was once used to store the Blessed Sacrament. In 1984, a temporary altar, previously a conference table from a hospital, was replaced with a new sandstone altar, consecrated by Bishop Reinhard Lettmann on September 22, 1984. The sedilia and ambo were also renewed in 1984.
The origin of the possibly Romanesque holy water basin is unknown. It features a twisted shaft supported by four reclining animal figures, with the basin adorned with twelve semi-plastic male figures.
The organ, built by the Klais organ workshop in Bonn, was installed on March 6, 1988. This slider chest instrument boasts 40 registers across three manual works and a pedal. The playing actions are mechanical, while the stop actions are electric, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities.
St. Amandus has long been revered by the residents of Datteln and the surrounding areas. On his feast days, his image was adorned with various gold and silver votive offerings. According to legend, thieves once stole the image along with the offerings but were forced to hide it, burying it in the ground. The community was deeply saddened by this sacrilege, and despite extensive searching, the image remained lost for a long time.
One day, a devout shepherd noticed a white lily growing in a field. He picked the beautiful flower, but to his amazement, it reappeared the next day. The shepherd's dog began to dig, and the long-lost image of St. Amandus was uncovered! The shepherd reported his discovery, and the image was joyfully restored to its place in the church. The field where it was found is still known as the Amandusstück and is located near the Emscher-Lippe mine.
St. Amandus Church is not just a place of worship but a symbol of resilience, community, and artistic heritage. Its walls tell stories of faith, perseverance, and devotion, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the rich history and culture of Nordrhein-Westfalen.
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