Saint Lambertus Church

Saint Lambertus Church, locally known as St. Lambertus, is a remarkable Roman Catholic parish church located in the quaint town of Hückelhoven in the Heinsberg district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This historical edifice, dedicated to Saint Lambert of Liège, is not only a place of worship but also a treasure trove of history and architectural splendor, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring the region.

The Historical Tapestry of Saint Lambertus Church

The origins of Saint Lambertus Church date back to the 13th century when Hückelhoven first had its own church. In 1261, Silbert von Hückelhoven was granted the right of patronage, and by 1550, Hückelhoven had become an independent parish. The town experienced a brief period of Protestantism in the 16th century before reverting to Catholicism.

Throughout its history, Saint Lambertus Church has been part of various dioceses. Initially, it belonged to the Diocese of Liège until the French era, after which it became part of the newly established Diocese of Aachen in 1802. Following the dissolution of the Diocese of Aachen, the parish was incorporated into the Archdiocese of Cologne in 1825. With the re-establishment of the Diocese of Aachen in 1930, Hückelhoven once again fell under its jurisdiction.

The church has undergone several transformations over the centuries. In 1933, due to the town's rapid growth fueled by mining activities, a new church, St. Barbara, was constructed in the northern part of the parish. This church became an independent parish in 1960. However, in 2010, the parishes of St. Lambertus and St. Barbara were merged to form the new parish of St. Lambertus and St. Barbara, with Saint Lambertus Church serving as the parish church.

Architectural Evolution and Splendor

The original 13th-century church has long since vanished, but the current structure of Saint Lambertus Church is a testament to centuries of architectural evolution. In the 17th century, the church received a new nave and sacristy. A new bell tower was erected in 1773, while the older chancel remained. However, by 1883, the chancel had become so dilapidated that it had to be sealed off, prompting the decision to build a new church.

Architect Julius Busch from Neuss was chosen to design the new church. The old church, except for the bell tower, was demolished, and between 1887 and 1888, the new church was constructed. The bell tower from 1773 was raised by one story. The new church was consecrated on July 10, 1889.

World War II inflicted damage on the church, but it was fully restored by 1948. In 1954, a semi-circular Marian chapel was added to the north side of the bell tower. The 1950s saw further expansion as the church became too small for the growing congregation. Architect Wilhelm Hartmann from Cologne was commissioned to design the extension, resulting in a unique double-church structure. The south wall of the old church was opened up to connect with the new hall church built at a right angle. This extension was completed in 1963, and the consecration took place on September 15 of that year.

Between 1991 and 1992, the old part of the church was converted into a weekday chapel, based on plans by Wolfgang Emondts.

Architectural Features and Artistic Treasures

The old section of Saint Lambertus Church is a neo-Gothic hall church with five bays made of brick. It features a four-story bell tower with an octagonal spire in the west and a single-bay chancel with a five-sided closure in the east. The interior is adorned with ribbed vaults, and the windows boast intricate tracery.

The new part of the church, built in modern architectural style, is oriented to the south. The two sections are connected through openings in the four eastern bays of the old church. The new nave is four bays long and narrows towards the south, ending in a semi-circular apse.

Among the notable furnishings in the new part of the church is an altar made of Roman travertine, designed by Wilhelm Hartmann in 1962. The bronze tabernacle, adorned with rock crystals, was created by sculptor Peter Haak from Erkelenz in the same year. A bronze ambo crafted by Michael Franke in 1984, and a neo-Gothic triumphal cross from the 19th century, originally located in the old church, now hangs above the altar. The oldest piece in the modern section is a Pietà from the 16th century.

The organ, built by the Heinz Wilbrand workshop in Übach-Palenberg in 1975, features 22 registers and an electric action. The stained glass windows, crafted by Eduard Horst in 1961, add a vibrant touch to the church's interior.

In the old section of the church, there is an altar and tabernacle by Peter Haak, relocated from the former old people's home chapel in Hückelhoven in 1992. The oldest furnishing is a baptismal font made of Namur bluestone, dating back to the 12th or 13th century, which was already present in the 13th-century church. The neo-Gothic side altar retables and a confessional from the 19th century have also been preserved. The stained glass windows in this section were created by Eduard Horst between 1952 and 1955.

The Bells of Saint Lambertus Church

Saint Lambertus Church has a rich tradition of bell ringing. In 1913 and 1924, the Otto bell foundry from Hemelingen/Bremen delivered a total of five bronze bells, weighing nearly 3,000 kg. Of these, only the smallest bells from each set have survived. The largest bell was cast in the rare Durrippe shape, and the bell motif is the Filled Salve Regina.

Saint Lambertus Church in Hückelhoven is more than just a place of worship; it is a living chronicle of the town's history and a beacon of architectural and artistic heritage. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to this magnificent church is sure to be a memorable and enriching experience.