The parish church in Altenberge probably dates back to a foundation by Liudger. During excavations in 1970, the apse of a Romanesque predecessor building with a west tower was discovered. The present church dates back to the 14th century and was built as a three-bay hall church with a polygonal choir. The sacristy bears the date 1590. In 1882, Hilger Hertel the Elder erected the neo-Gothic west building with tower. The cross gables of the side aisles were probably rebuilt in 1882. The centre bay with sandstone portal was renewed in 1961. Inside, ribbed vaults on round pillars with services. The keystones from the 14th century are coloured and decorated with figures. The neo-Gothic western section has star vaults. There are sacrament, wash and choir niches in the choir. The 15th century tendril painting was uncovered in 1963. The coloured choir window by Victor von der Forst dates back to 1890. In front of the south portal is the larger-than-life sculpture of John the Baptist by Hans Dinnendahl from 1983.
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Price info
Free admission: 0 €
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Directions & Parking facilities
By car, take the A1 motorway (Dortmund-Bremen) to the Münster-Nord motorway junction. From there, take the B54 motorway in the direction of Rheine (Steinfurt). Take the Altenberge exit and follow the road towards the town centre.
Travelling by train via Altenberge main station with connections to Enschede, Gronau and Münster, take the R72 bus to the Altenberge-Mitte stop.
Parking
There are car parks in the surrounding streets, some with limited parking spaces.
More information
The Münsterland cycle path network with more than 4,500 kilometres of signposted cycle paths leads right past the church. There are almost unlimited possibilities from here. A cycle tour to Münster, to Bürg Hülshoff in Havixbeck or to Steinfurft with its beautiful castle are worthwhile destinations.
Themed routes at the parish church of St Johannes Babtist:
Aa-Vechte tour
NaTourism route
Next junction: 65
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