Ever wonder about the story behind this small but significant chapel. The Hüttenrott-Kapelle has a fascinating past. Let’s uncover some of its secrets.
The St. Johannes-Kapelle in Münster is a small Gothic church building. It stands on Breul in the northwest of the historic old town. Today the Hüttenrott-Kapelle belongs to the Evangelical Church. Various groups use it for special services.
The chapel is a hall construction made of brick. Buttresses and sandstone form the structure without a tower. The western portal showcases Renaissance forms. Inside, the four bays of the nave are covered with ribbed vaults. The easternmost bay is shortened. An octagonal apse forms the eastern end. The keystones of the two western bays feature the Johanniter cross. They also depict the head of John the Baptist. The stained glass windows display modern colorful panes.
The Hüttenrott-Kapelle’s current appearance reflects a varied history. In the early 14th century, the Johanniter Commandry founded a branch in Münster. The chapel was part of the convent buildings. It was dedicated to the order’s patron saint. Originally it was a small rectangular building. When the Commandry moved to Münster, the chapel gained an apse. A Renaissance portal and elaborate furnishings were added.
In 1810, the Münsteraner Johanniter Commandry was dissolved. It was assigned to the Counts von Bentheim und Steinfurt. The chapel was secularized. It was then used as a storage room.
During World War II, the convent buildings were destroyed. However, the Hüttenrott-Kapelle sustained only minor damage. Young people from CVJM restored it. The first service took place in 1948. Walter Drobnitzky led the service. Since then, the Johanneskapelle has served as an Evangelical branch church. It also serves as an ecumenical meeting place. Over the following decades, many patrons helped maintain and beautify the building.
Since 2002, the Johannes-Kapelle has had a remarkable organ. The organ building company Manufacture d’Orgues Muhleisen built it. The chapel has space for nearly 100 church visitors. The organ stands on the north wall next to two epitaphs. It fills an entire bay with its dimensions. The organ has no separate pedal. The pedal registers are generated via transmissions from the main organ. The instrument has 17 registers on two manual actions.
The Hüttenrott-Kapelle stands as a testament to Münster’s rich religious history. It showcases resilience. Its walls have witnessed centuries of change. From its origins as a Johanniter chapel to its role as an ecumenical center. The Hüttenrott-Kapelle continues to be a place of worship. It remains a symbol of unity.