Did you know a bishop’s name echoes through the streets here? Welcome to the Erphoviertel. This quarter of Münster carries the legacy of Bishop Erpho. His name graces not only the area but also the Erphokirche.
The Erphoviertel lies east of Münster’s historic heart. It’s part of the Mitte district, nestled between Warendorfer Straße and the Münster-Warendorf railway line. However, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring splits the Erphoviertel in two. The districts adjacent to it are Ostviertel, Mauritzviertel, and Rumphorst.
Around 1875, the area was incorporated into Münster. Before that, it was part of the parish of St. Mauritz. The Erpho and Overberg streets appeared around 1888. More streets arose west of the Ring in the 1890s and early 1900s. Then came the Christus-König-Kirche. It’s better known as the Erphokirche and was built from 1928 to 1930. The eastern part of the quarter largely dates back to the 1920s and 30s. The housing estate is between Ostmark-, Löns-, Manfred- and Wiener Straße. It was built for civil servants.
What sets the Erphoviertel apart? It has a looser development than other inner-city quarters. This stems from villas and villa-style buildings. Villa Sunder-Plaßmann is one example. The most famous is Villa ten Hompel. It once housed the Ordnungspolizei during the Nazi era. Since 1999, it has been a museum and memorial.
During the Second World War, destruction hit the quarter hard. Buildings from the 1950s and 1960s add flair. Beautiful old buildings from the early 20th century still stand between them.
The Steuerberaterkammer Westfalen-Lippe has offices here in Erphoviertel. Also, the Catholic University of Applied Sciences North Rhine-Westphalia maintains a Münster division in the Erphoviertel. Many large authorities and associations reside here. They include the Zahnärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe and the Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe. The Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe’s main buildings are also here. Find them along Warendorfer Straße, Fürstenbergstraße, and Hörsterplatz. The Landesarchiv NRW is also part of this district.
Once, a Franciscan monastery stood on Bohlweg. It was torn down for a gated community project. Lack of new monks led to its closure. The Hochschule der Franziskaner moved to St. Franziskus-Hospital.
The Erphoviertel is more than bricks and streets. It is a reminder of Münster’s past. It also embodies the city’s vibrant present. Take a stroll and feel the blend of history and modern life. The Erphoviertel has stories to tell around every corner.