A century and a half ago did these very stones witness countless prayers? Welcome to the Bethaus der Bergleute. This unassuming sandstone building in Witten’s Muttental valley holds a unique piece of Ruhrgebiet history.
More than just a house of prayer it served as a vital hub for the miners of the lower Muttental. Built between 1830 and 1831 several small mines pooled resources to erect this structure. Downstairs a smithy clanked and hammered. There miners’ tools were crafted and repaired. Upstairs a space for prayer and community gatherings took shape. Miners met before and after their shifts. They held services and shared stories. The building also aided in timekeeping. It ensured miners arrived promptly for work.
The Bethaus’ dual purpose however was short-lived. Within seven years the smithy and assembly hall closed. Some mines shut down. Others grew large enough to have their own facilities. Around 1850 the building transformed into a dwelling.
Its historical value was rediscovered in the 1970s. It became an outpost of Bochum’s German Mining Museum in 1974. Then the LWL-Museumsamt für Westfalen took over. They established an exhibition in the basement lasting until 2015. The smithy was meticulously reconstructed. The effort was a collaboration between Witten’s city marketing team and several sponsors including the NRW-Stiftung and the RAG-Stiftung.
Today the Bethaus der Bergleute boasts a restaurant in a rear extension. There is also a garden for outdoor dining. The former prayer and assembly hall is now part of the restaurant. It’s available for special events. This place echoes with the sounds of hammers and prayers. It’s a testament to the resilience and faith of Ruhrgebiet miners. The Bethaus is a living memorial to their heritage. A visit allows you to connect with their past.