Parish church of St John the Baptist

Introduction

The construction of St John the Baptist Church is closely linked to the history of the town of Altenberge.

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.