Above-water church

Liebfrauenkirche

The Überwasserkirche, also known as the Liebfrauenkirche, is one of the oldest churches in Münster. After its early construction around the ninth century, the church became a foundation with a convent for noble ladies. Another significant event for the church was its takeover by the "Anabaptists", who tore down the spire (excavated in 1898, it found a new home in the LWL Museum of Art and Culture). When the restored Überwasserstift was abolished in 1773, the seminary was founded from the monastery's assets. This gave rise to the University of Münster, whose seal still shows the Mother of God, the "dear Lady of Überwasser".

Today, the Überwasserkirche is used for exhibitions and concerts in addition to church services. Anyone visiting the cathedral or the weekly market in Münster should definitely take a look at this beautiful church!

History informationAccording to excavations, the Liebfrauen/Überwasserkirche was already built in the late ninth century, in the form of a small church. On 29 December 1040, it was consecrated on the title of the Nativity of Mary - ad Beatam Mariam Virginem sub Titulo Nativitatis. King Henry III was present, as were numerous imperial princes and twelve bishops. The church then fell victim to a fire in 1071. The exact date of the new building has not yet been documented. The church was also badly damaged when Lothar von Süpplingenburg conquered Münster in 1121. The church in its present form was built from 1340 until the 15th century. Until the conquest on 25 June 1535, the terror of the "Anabaptists" increased. The spire of the Überwasserkirche was brought down and guns were set up on the resulting platform. The still preserved, extremely valuable Gothic stone figures of Mary and the Apostles were torn from the west portal and rammed into the city ramparts for reinforcement (excavated again in 1898, they found a new home in the Landesmuseum). When the long since restored Überwasserstift was abolished in 1773 with papal approval, only five ladies lived there. The income and considerable real estate of the monastery were used for the foundation of the seminary and the newly founded university. Since 1904, several new parishes were separated from Liebfrauen (including St. Cross in 1905, Kinderhaus in 1908, Gievenbeck in 1936, Dreifaltigkeit in 1939, St. Theresa in 1952), some of which have since been merged again. At the time of the Second World War, the then Bishop of Münster, Clemens August Graf von Galen, held one of his famous sermons against National Socialism in the Überwasserkirche. During air raids at that time, the church was badly hit, but it was possible to rebuild it. In 1968, the interior of the church was restored; since 1972, the church has again had an organ. Between 1976 and 1983, the exterior of the tower was restored. From 2014 to 2018, the Überwasserkirche was once again completely renovated.
Tour information

• The Überwasserkirche can be visited from the inside during the stated opening hours or as part of an event or exhibition.
• An exterior tour of the Gothic hall church is possible at any time.