How tall is that tower? The high steeple of the Große Kirche Aplerbeck is a landmark. It reaches 60.90 meters. The Große Kirche Aplerbeck stands before you. It is a Protestant church in Aplerbeck, now part of Dortmund. The church was built from 1867 to 1869. It features a Gothic Revival style. Christian Heyden designed it.
Did you know the Große Kirche Aplerbeck didn’t always have that name? When it was first built, it was simply called the “Evangelische Kirche” or Protestant Church. Later, some called it the “Schwarze Kirche” or Black Church. This was because the ceiling paint had darkened over time. The name Große Kirche finally took hold in 1999.
Look closely at the building. The Große Kirche is a hall church. It has three naves and five bays. Notice the prominent choir. The walls are structured by buttresses and tracery windows. Inside, slender columns with leaf capitals support a high rib vault.
The Große Kirche’s history is deeply connected to Aplerbeck’s growth. In the 19th century, industrialization caused the population to boom. The old Georgskirche became too small. So, the Große Kirche was built to accommodate the growing community.
Consider the tower again. It has a quadrangle floor. Above that, an octagonal upper part rises. A helmet topped by a weathercock finishes it. Four sides of the upper part have abat-sons. The diagonal walls are decorated with lesenes. Balusters frame the pointed helmet at the bottom.
Imagine April 12, 1945. US troops were waiting to enter Aplerbeck. The sexton of the Große Kirche hoisted a white flag. This signaled capitulation. Another white flag was raised at the town hall. This enabled a peaceful entry for the troops.
Inside the Große Kirche, music fills the air. In 1870, people complained about the long reverberation of seven seconds. But from 1999, the church has been used mostly for concerts. The acoustics, once a problem, now enhance the performances.
The Große Kirche is more than just a building. It is a designated historic monument. In 1967, the parish requested this status. The church needed major repairs they couldn’t afford. It was declared an example of a neo-Gothic hall church of rare unity of style.
Take a moment to appreciate the Große Kirche Aplerbeck. Its steeple defines Aplerbeck’s skyline. It has witnessed war and peace. The Große Kirche continues to serve the community. It is a testament to faith. It is a symbol of Aplerbeck’s rich history.