Question: Did you know that Sankt Urbanus has stood here for centuries? This Roman Catholic parish church is a testament to faith and history. Sankt Urbanus belongs to the Pastoralverbund Am Revierpark. It is part of the Dekanat Dortmund. The church is also part of the Erzbistum Paderborn.
Sankt Urbanus dates back to the 13th century. Around the middle of that century, the hall church was erected. Only the west tower and the nave remain from this period. Look at the Romanesque tower. Notice its detailed sound openings with columns. The tower houses one of Westphalia’s oldest bells. This bell was cast around 1200. It was once used as a fire bell.
In the 15th century, a late Gothic choir was added. However, it was replaced between 1897 and 1899. A large Romanesque extension was built according to plans by Arnold Spanke. A side tower was added to the new choir’s south side. This new section was painted in 1906.
Let’s talk about the interior of Sankt Urbanus. Part of the furnishings came from St. Johannes Baptist in Dortmund. This happened in 1665. The organ you see was built in 1967. It has 36 registers and three manuals.
Notice the sculpture of St. Urbanus. It is a remarkable piece from the 14th century. The statue is still revered today. It is carried during processions. Berta, Countess of Arnsberg, commissioned Sankt Urbanus. She was the Abbess of Essen. She significantly influenced Huckarde.
The church was first mentioned in 1272 as Marienkirche. It became Sankt Urbanus around 1719. For over 500 years, the community has kept a procession vow. It takes place on Whit Monday. Sankt Urbanus is a protected monument of North Rhine-Westphalia.
One of the most important pieces is the high pulpit. It is also known as Fuchskanzel. It was carved from oak in Kalkar around 1480. The pulpit depicts the fox preaching to geese.
Sankt Urbanus reflects the spirit of different eras. The church reminds us of the Middle Ages. It also reminds us of the industrialization of the 19th and 20th centuries. From a small village, Huckarde became an industrial area around the Hansa mine. Sankt Urbanus stands as a reminder of Huckarde’s past. It connects us to the community’s history.