Around 880 a document from Werden Abbey mentioned Egilmar in Linni as a taxpayer. This is considered the most reliable record of Kirchlinde’s earliest mention. Kirchlinde nestled in Dortmund’s northwest is more than just a district. It’s a place steeped in history. Its name hints at a sacred linden tree dedicated to the goddess Frija in pre-Christian times. Several old linden trees once stood along Im Dorloh street. The last one fell in a fierce storm in 1877. The name Dorloh itself suggests a sacred grove. Dor means Thor and Loh means forest or woods. This hints at early Germanic settlement. Tradition speaks of another sacred forest near the Widey brook. Sacrifices were offered there at the intersection of Frohlinder Strasse and Hilgenloh.
For centuries Kirchlinde remained an agricultural area. That all changed in 1857 with the construction of the Zollern I/III colliery. However coal mining didn’t truly take off until 1873 thanks to Irish industrialist William Thomas Mulvany’s investment. The era of coal ended in 1969 with the closure of shafts I and III. Kirchlinde’s connection to Dortmund became official on April 1 1928 when it was incorporated into the city.
Today Kirchlinde is a vibrant community. Its annual Kirchlinder Woche a regional festival fills the town center. The landmark St Josef church stands as a testament to its enduring spirit. Kirchlinde boasts a population of 11185 as of December 31 2023. The population includes a significant percentage of young people and older people. It has a lower percentage of foreign residents than Dortmund as a whole. Kirchlinde’s history intertwines ancient traditions with industrial progress. It is a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Explore its streets and discover the captivating stories hidden within this Dortmund district. You can sense its rich past in every cobblestone and every story shared by its residents.