Consider yourselves transported back to 1246 near Osnabrück. St. Johannes Rulle stands before us. It began as a Cistercian monastery named Marienbrunn nestled between a church and a spring.
Marienbrunn existed until 1802. Pilgrims sought relief from their suffering at the Marienbrunnen behind the St. Johannes Rulle church. They came from the surrounding region. The Emsland and Osnabrück area saw many pilgrims. After World War II, refugees and displaced persons also made their way to St. Johannes Rulle.
The St. Johannes Rulle building we see today incorporates three churches. There is a Romanesque hall church from the 13th century. Then there is the monastery church consecrated in 1344. It was added to the south side. Finally, there is the pilgrimage church built between 1924 and 1928. It connects to the monastery church on the east side. Together, they create a shared church space. The chapter hall is also a church today. It serves as a weekday church. So technically, four church buildings form this impressive ensemble.
The old Romanesque parish church is now a chapel. It was first mentioned in 1233. In 1247, the Cistercian monastery moved to Rulle from Haste. The knight Konrad von Lingen acquired land near the church. The monastery also bought two farms. The income from these farms was specifically for the church. The monastery gained control of the parish church. Its income became a valuable long-term investment. The monastery could sell or lease the parish church.
The monastery church became the main church after secularization. In 1928, the western part of the St. Johannes Rulle was expanded in the Neo-Gothic style. The architect H. Renard from Cologne designed this expansion. It became a three-aisled church with many towers. Consecration took place on May 17, 1932. It offered space for 900 people. Renovations occurred in 1966 and 1980.
St. Johannes Rulle has five bronze bells. The first was cast in 1964. Two more followed in 1950. Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock in Gescher made them. The b’-Glocke was recast in 1892. The oldest bell dates back to 1780. M. Rincker, likely from Osnabrück, cast it. This fifth bell hangs outside the tower’s upper level.
The organ was built in 1969 by the Kreienbrink company from Osnabrück. It has 35 registers, 3 manuals, and a pedal. Another organ is in the chapter hall. Kreienbrink built it in 1985. It has 6 registers, 1 manual, and a pedal.
The church boasts several works of art. Look for the blood monstrance from 1652. It contains an ivory box from 1347. There is a Vesperbild in the cemetery chapel from the 17th century. Note the chalice from 1662 or 1672. The image of grace is from the early 18th century. You can also view a painting of the blood miracle from the 18th century. Admire the wooden sculptures of St. Bernhard from 1712 and St. Sebastian from 1742. Finally, don’t miss the Nativity scene from 1835.
St. Johannes Rulle stands as a testament to faith and history. It has evolved over centuries. Its walls echo with prayers and pilgrimages. As we leave, remember the layers of history within these stones.