Listen closely. The story of St Barbara in Dortmund is one of resilience. It’s a tale woven into the very bricks of this magnificent building. St Barbara’s church stands proudly in Dorstfeld a testament to faith and community.
For over a thousand years Dorstfeld shared a close spiritual bond with Huckarde. A Catholic church in Huckarde served both communities. The Reformation changed everything. Dortmund embraced Protestantism. Most Dorstfelders followed suit. A small Catholic community remained. They traveled to Huckarde for mass. But times changed. The 19th century brought industrialization. Factories sprang up. Catholic workers flocked to Dorstfeld. The Catholic population exploded. By 1887 1646 Catholics called Dorstfeld home.
A building committee formed. They worked with the Huckarde priest. Their goal was ambitious: a new parish a new church. In 1886 the first Catholic priest arrived. Franz-Friedrich Becker served as vicar. He was succeeded by Thomas Kramer who became Dorstfeld’s first pastor in 1893. Kramer’s 42 years of service saw the parish established on February 3 1893. The new church was built. A rectory followed a convent with sisters from Paderborn. Even a new parish St Karl Borromaeus was established in Oberdorstfeld in 1921. Kramer’s grave in the old Dorstfeld cemetery is still maintained by the community.
World War II brought devastation. The church’s tower housed a machine gun nest. The church suffered greatly. Reconstruction took place in 1948 and 1949. The tall steeple lost to air raids was replaced in 1967 with a smaller one. Further renovations followed in 1974 including interior and exterior work. The church’s surroundings were transformed. The church square was expanded. The altar pulpit and lectern were redesigned. Since January 1 2002 St Barbara’s parish has formed a pastoral association with St Karl Borromaeus in Oberdorstfeld.
St Barbara’s is a three-aisled neo-Romanesque basilica with a transept and a tall east tower. Plans for two east towers were underway. Their foundations remain. A massive east tower with four floors was constructed. The top floor houses the bell tower.
The church was built from Dorstfeld bricks. Sandstone features and ornaments provide structure. These underwent extensive restoration in 2012. The new color scheme recalls the damage sustained during World War II.
Three sandstone altars adorn the church. The high altar in the apse is a masterpiece by Anton Hellweg of Paderborn. It depicts the miracle of the loaves and fishes and the wedding at Cana. The four Latin Church Fathers frame these Eucharistic scenes. A pelican sculpture crowns the altar. It symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice. Painted figures of the prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel and Hosea are found beneath the altar. Above are the tabernacle and small portraits of the twelve apostles.
The Marienaltar depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary her visit to Elizabeth and her death. The Josefsaltar portrays St Joseph with the infant Jesus and Jesus in Joseph’s workshop. Simeon’s song of praise is also shown.
The high altar and the side altar retables are original. The side altar mensae were in the earlier temporary church. A wooden altar with an icon of the Virgin Mary and Child is located at the entrance under the organ loft.
St Barbara’s has a rich history. It’s a place of resilience faith and community spirit. It’s a story worth remembering.