Observantenkirche (Observant Church), Munster

The Observantenkirche is an Evangelical Church, built in 1694 by the Franciscan monks. The building was raised by two renown architects Anton Hülse and Johann Bavra.

During the period from 18th till 20th century, the fate of the church was less than fortunate. During the French invasion, the building was used as barracks or mews, as well as a stock place, and all the church equipment was auctioned off. While during the Second World War, the church was almost destroyed by Allied bombing. The full restoration started in 1958 and in May of 1961 the church was transferred to the Evangelical Theological Faculty of the University of Westphalia.

The contemporary church is built from red brick and the southwest facade is made with Westphalian light sandstone. The main premises of the Observantenkirche are constructed in pseudo-Gothic style. The north building is a new building from the end of the 17th century. It is a hall church with a modern roof turret . The masonry stands on a base of quarry stone. The buttresses are modeled on a Gothic church. Brick and the Gothic windows characterize the visual effect of the building.

The interior of the church was richly decorated by religious paintings and icons, donated by the wealthier parishioners. Up to the end of the 17th century the church was equipped with the altar, organ and three bells.

The Observant Church has three organs . A small two-manual organ with pedal and a positive organ are available for concert purposes.

A historic organ from the 17th century stood in the church until the beginning of the 19th century. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the elaborate organ case was sold. It is now in the Basilica of Our Lady (Zwolle) with an organ from 1896 .

The main organ on the south gallery was built in 1962 by the organ building company Paul Ott (Göttingen) based on a design by Rudolf Reuter. The slider chest instrument has 36 registers on three manuals and pedal. The breastwork is also the swell , the swell doors are operated using a hand lever. The playing and register actions are mechanical. Below is the disposition of the main organ.