I visited a church in Hagen, Germany - and remembered 9/11

 Childhood memories related to this wonderful roman-catholic church, dedicated to Virgin Mary, located next to the Osthaus Museum

The first Christians in the region date back to the 7th century—though the first documented mention of a place of worship does not appear until the late 11th century, and at a different location. In the mid-12th century, the old church was demolished and replaced by a Romanesque basilica. A baptismal font from that period still survives.

 

 In 1825, the church’s vault collapsed, but it was rebuilt starting in 1826 along with a larger church.

1943–1945 > During the first air raid in October 1943, St. Mary’s Church sustained only minor damage. In December 1943, however, the windows were destroyed. They were provisionally repaired by 1945. In March 1945, however, the church was almost completely destroyed along with Hagen’s city center.

 

The church was restored as early as 1954, and the altar was consecrated on December 11, 1954. 

 

60 metres long, almost 30 metres wide

 The “Double Madonna” is a characteristic feature of churches in the Sauerland region. 

This one dates from the 18th century.

 

 

 The huge cross was made by Paul Rautzenberg 1945

 

 

A baptismal font (early 21st c.), a sculpture of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb (mid 16th c.) and a romanian-orthodox cross (late 17th c.)

 

 

The high altar, dated 1656 

 

A sculpture of virgin mary, dated earliest 16th century.

 

This is where I lit a candle and prayed