Pause for a moment and imagine a small wooden structure. That was the first St. Petronilla church in Handorf. It was built around 1030. Today we stand before a church with a rich history. This is St. Petronilla in Muenster.
St. Petronilla has been a place of worship for centuries. The original wooden church was replaced by a stone church around 1300. Handorf became a parish in 1282. The church you see now was built around 1700.
Look at the tower. It was added in 1864/65. Notice its Gothic revival style. In 1913, the church was expanded. A transept, a new choir and a sacristy were added.
Consider the events of 1942. The tower was shortened. The Luftgaukommandant ordered it. It was in the way of air traffic to a nearby military airport. The tower was restored in 1976/77. This was part of a major restoration and expansion.
Inside St. Petronilla is a baptismal font. It is Romanesque. It was made in the 13th century. The font is made from Baumberger Sandstein. There is a large oil painting in the choir. It depicts a crucifixion. It has been in the church since 1886. An unknown artist likely painted it before 1850.
The organ is in the transept. Romanus Seifert from Kevelaer built it in 1980. It has 16 stops on two manuals and a pedal.
St. Petronilla belongs to the Diocese of Muenster. In 2010, the parish expanded. It included two parishes that formerly belonged to Muenster. Later, this parish became part of the large new parish of the Muenster Cathedral.
Who was Saint Petronilla? She was an early Christian saint. The Catholic Church venerates her as a virgin. She died in Rome at the end of the 1st century or possibly in the 3rd century.
Petronilla was traditionally identified as the daughter of Peter. This may have stemmed from the similarity of names. Some believe she was a convert of Peter or a follower. Stories say Peter cured her of palsy.
One story relates that she was very beautiful. Peter locked her in a tower to keep her from men. A pagan king named Flaccus wanted to marry her. Petronilla went on a hunger strike and died.
St. Petronilla’s feast day is May 31. A church of St. Petronilla was located on the Via Ardeatina. Nereus and Achilleus, as well as Petronilla, were buried there.
A painting was discovered. Petronilla is shown receiving a deceased person into heaven. Beside the saint’s picture is her name: Petronilla Mart.
The church of St. Petronilla in Handorf stands as a testament. It shows the enduring faith of the community. It connects us to centuries of history and devotion.