Dare to imagine a time, long before Bonn was quite the city it is today. We are standing before St. Petri in Ketten. This church has seen centuries unfold right here in Lengsdorf.
St. Petri in Ketten, or St. Peter as it was known earlier. It is the heart of the Roman Catholic community here. The church is a protected monument. Its history is etched into every stone.
The story of St. Petri in Ketten begins with a castle chapel. This chapel dates back to the Carolingian era. Though that original church is gone, its spirit remains. It likely stood where we stand now. You can almost feel the echoes of the past beneath your feet. Look at the north wall. Notice how high and strong it is. This is a remnant of its castle origins. It served as a support for the church.
St. Petri in Ketten was under the control of the Cassiusstift in Bonn. Over time, the church evolved through several building phases. The Romanesque choir is the oldest section of St. Petri in Ketten. It was built around 1224. By the end of the 13th century, the nave and south aisle were completed.
Inside St. Petri in Ketten, look closely at the vaulting. In the third bay of the nave, you can spot early Gothic elements. This shows the transition in architectural styles over the years. For centuries, St. Petri in Ketten stood as a two-aisled village church. A mighty tower rose over the easternmost bay of the nave. It became a familiar sight to generations of Lengsdorf residents.
In 1894, St. Petri in Ketten expanded again. A north aisle was added, mirroring the older south aisle. Fan windows were installed in both aisles and in the choir. These windows brought more light into St. Petri in Ketten. In 1935, architect Jakob Stumpf designed a western porch in the Romanesque style.
World War II brought devastation. St. Petri in Ketten suffered heavy damage. In 1953, a new tower was built to replace the destroyed rooftop turret. Toni Kleefisch, an architect from Bonn, designed it in 1947. By 1959, the war damage was fully repaired. The new bell tower completed the reconstruction of St. Petri in Ketten. It now stands on the west side of the church. The old tower over the eastern bay was never rebuilt.
The bells of St. Petri in Ketten have their own story. Before the World Wars, there were three bells. The largest, the Petrusglocke, was cast in 1792. The inscription read, “I am Saint Peter’s bell / God strengthen my coat.” These bells were lost in World War I. In 1922, new bells were installed but these were destroyed in World War II. In 1955, four new bells were cast for St. Petri in Ketten.
In 1985, the Klais company from Bonn created a new organ for St. Petri in Ketten. It was their Opus 1629. Parts from the previous organ were reused in the new instrument. The organ has 18 registers.
St. Petri in Ketten is more than just a building. It is a living testament to faith. It has evolved throughout the ages, adapting to the changing times. As we leave St. Petri in Ketten, remember its enduring spirit. It is a place of community and resilience.