St. Vincenz Menden, located in the charming town of Menden (Sauerland) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, stands as a testament to centuries of ecclesiastical architecture and religious history. Known in the local language as St. Vincenz, this parish church is not merely a place of worship but also a beacon of the region's rich cultural heritage.
The roots of St. Vincenz Menden stretch deep into the annals of history, marking it as one of the original parishes in the Westphalian part of the Archdiocese of Cologne. The church is dedicated to St. Vincent and St. Walburga, though the veneration of St. Vincent has come to dominate over time. Originally, the parish extended beyond Menden, reaching into neighboring areas like Hemer and Fröndenberg. However, during the Middle Ages, various communities branched off, each forming their own parishes.
The earliest structure on this site was likely a simple hall church, which evolved over the centuries. By the year 1200, a Romanesque hall construction stood here, only to be plundered and damaged in 1344 during an attack by the Counts of the Mark and Arnsberg. Despite this, remnants of the older church were incorporated into the new Gothic hall church, which began construction in 1345 under Archbishop Walram.
The current structure of St. Vincenz Menden is a Gothic hall church, with its oldest part being the West Tower, dating back to the 14th century. This tower, originally serving as a defensive structure, is characterized by its narrow arrow slits. The church's nave, built in the 15th century, is three-aisled and three-bayed, supported by round columns and featuring a ribbed vault with beautifully crafted keystones. The pointed arch windows with tracery are a distinctive feature of the church's design.
This architectural style is relatively rare in Electoral Cologne's Westphalia, with comparable structures being the St. John's Church in Attendorn and the St. George's City Chapel in Arnsberg. Between 1868 and 1871, the church underwent significant expansions, including the addition of a transept and choir in the late Gothic style by architect Fischer, and a notable increase in the height of the tower's spire.
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Inside St. Vincenz Menden, visitors can admire a wooden altar from 1628, featuring a columned structure adorned with figures and reliefs. One of the church's most precious artifacts is a Madonna figure carved from painted oak, dating back to around 1460. This figure is stylistically similar to the Madonna of Lübeck's Marienkirche, which was destroyed in 1942.
The church also houses a Gothic crucifix, known as a triumphal cross, and a set of four Baroque saint figures. These figures, originally placed in various locations within the church, were regrouped around the baptismal font in 2009. Additionally, parts of the original high altar were discovered in the church tower's chair in March 2009. The tower chapel features a crucifixion group from the 18th century, which originally stood in the Holy Cross or St. Anthony's Chapel on the Rodenberg.
The bell history of St. Vincenz Menden is as fascinating as its architectural journey. Up until 1917, the church tower housed three bronze bells with the tones of des'-es'-f'. The largest bell, dedicated to St. Michael, was cast in 1767, while the two smaller bells were cast in 1638. However, during World War I, the largest bell was confiscated and melted down. In 1924, the foundry Petit & Edelbrock from Gescher cast three new bells with the tones des', as', and b'. Unfortunately, during World War II, four of the large bells were melted down, leaving only the b' bell from 1924.
In 1946, the foundry Junker from Brilon cast a new five-part bronze chime from Brilon special bronze, with the tones b°-des'-es'-f'-as'. This new chime, known for its relatively short reverberation, continues to ring out today. Additionally, the tower's helmet on the west side still houses two old bells for the clock strike, with tones des (1768) and b (15th century).
The musical heritage of St. Vincenz Menden is equally rich, with the first organ mentioned in a council protocol in 1733. A new organ was built in 1756 by organ builder Balthasar König, which was later expanded and rebuilt in 1861. After a fire, the organ was restored in 1852, and a new organ was acquired in 1896. However, after proving to be problematic, a new organ was installed in 1970. The current organ, built in 2006 by the organ builder Martin Scholz from Mönchengladbach, features 34 registers, three transmissions (pedal), and a pre-draw on three manuals and pedal, with mechanical play and register actions.
In addition to the main organ, there is also a choir organ with two manuals, featuring seven registers on an interchangeable loop. This organ, built by the company Späth in 1987, was originally located in St. Raphael (Berlin) until 2005.
St. Vincenz Menden is more than just a church; it is a historical monument, an architectural marvel, and a repository of centuries-old religious artifacts and traditions. Its walls echo the stories of the past, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting Menden (Sauerland).
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