Traces of faith
Churches worth seeing in Schmallenberger Sauerland and the Grafschaft Monastery
In the Schmallenberger Sauerland you will find numerous visible signs of faith in all villages, along the roads and paths and in the midst of nature. From culturally and historically important buildings with unique wall paintings to important organ buildings, small village chapels and countless wayside shrines and wooden crosses. We invite you to visit these facilities. Enjoy the silence and special atmosphere there.
Monastery County
The former Benedictine abbey was founded in 1072 by Archbishop Anno II of Cologne. From 1727 - 1742 the monastery building was built in baroque style, the basement of the west tower still dates from the founding years. Since 1948 the "Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo" have had a centre of faith here. In addition, there is a specialist hospital in the Grafschaft monastery, which is known beyond the borders of the country
The 925th anniversary of the founding of the County Monastery was the occasion 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 also contains liturgical equipment, vestments, books from the monastery library and relics that provide an insight into Benedictine and Borromean monastic culture
During individual guided tours with the historian Barbara Rickert you will discover the eventful building history and the manifold 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.
St. Cyriacus
Already around 1220 the inhabitants of Berghausen and the surrounding villages built this parish church. From the beginning, St. Deacon and martyr Cyriakus has been the patron saint of this probably oldest church in the Sauerland.
The apse painting, one of the few well-preserved Romanesque wall paintings in Germany, is of particular art-historical importance.
Open daily from 8.30 to 17 o'clock for sightseeing.
Pastoral area Dorlar-Wormbach
Parish Office Wormbach
Phone: 02972 36485-30
St. Peter and Paul
Visit one of the oldest and art-historically most important parish churches of the Sauerland. Wormbach is commonly called the "original parish" of the Sauerland. In pagan times Wormbach was a place of worship.
The parish church was built in 1250 as a late Romanesque hall church with three naves and three bays. Famous is the ceiling painting with twelve signs of the zodiac, in the apse there is also a representation of the "Last Judgement".
For more than 300 years the "Walburgawoche" has been held every year in May, and its worship has been an important part of the local religious life.
Open daily from 10.00 - 18.00 for sightseeing.
Guided tours always take place on Sundays after the church service (11.20 am). For reservations 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 consisted of only two vaulted joggles of the present nave and the choir rectangle. This core building was first documented in 1221 as "capella in Lene". The Romanesque church has always been dedicated to the martyr Vincentius.
