Churches
The Great Church (Lutheran)
Built around 1100, this church occupies a special place among sacred medieval buildings: the extended nave is surmounted by a timber semi-circular vaulted ceiling. The massive structure, which encompasses both Romanesque and late Gothic style elements, is topped by a might tower with stepped gables (added to between 1426-30) and a gable roof. The church is the site of a tuneful gem: the renaissance organ, built by Konrad Bader in 1658. It has been expertly restored, and - with its 26 registers and 1,968 pipes - it is one of the most beautiful large organs in Westphalia.
The Little Church (Lutheran)
The Little Church - a simple late Gothic hall structure - was erected between 1471 and 1477 on the site of a former knight's house in the historic city centre of Burgsteinfurt. From municipal church to mayor's election, from fire to restoration - this church has a varied history and some unusual architectural elements. An octagonal tower rests on buttresses coming together in a pointed arch and also supporting a cruciform vault made of pumice stone with ribs made of trass stone. The large windows display Fischblasenmaßwerk.
Parish Church of St. Johannes Nepomuk (Catholic)
This pure Baroque church dates back to the start of the 18th century and was built by the Pictorious brothers who - like J.C. Schlaun - were amongst the most famous Baroque master builders of the Münster region. Subsequently extended to include a large transept and new altar space, the parish church is today partially reminiscent of an Italian "pilaster church". The strict design of the facade is relieved by the central niche containing a statue of St. Johannes Nepomuk, created by the Rococo sculptor Cornelius Sasse from Coesfeld.
St. Nikomedes Church
The 95 m high tower dominates Borghorst's Church Square. Built between 1885 and 1894 on the site of Borghorst Convent, the Catholic parish church has a floor area of 2,200 sq.m. and is thus one of the largest churches in the Münster diocese. Its hall-shaped interior is home to quite a few church treasures: the celebration altar created by Hubert Teschlade, the high altar created by the Telgt artist Hans Dinnendahl, the splendid windows created by Paul Weigmann, the Romanesque baptismal stone (around 1170), painted sandstone statuettes and stone statues and - of course - the convent chamber in the old sacristy.
St. Nikomedes convent chamber
Here can be found the most important treasure of St. Nikomedes Church: the cross reliquary of the former canonical endowment dating back to the time of Emperor Otto. Known as the "Borghorst Cross", it was made by a goldsmith in the middle of the 11th century. The Borghorst Church's 1,000 year history is documented by other objects related to liturgical history and the cult of relics, and ranging from bronze lamps or statuettes to modern vestments.
Aloysius Chapel
If you feel like a walk and a reflective rest, why not visit the chapel of the former Borghorst Convent? The chapel is an octagonal central structure in the Rococo style, built in 1756 by Abbess Antonette Isabella Josina von Nagel zu Vornholz. Something of a curiosity awaits you: the roof is shaped like the dome of a Dutch windmill. The bell also owes its origins to a Dutch neighbour. The blue-and-white tiled interior with its alabaster sculptures and relic cushions embroidered with sequins is definitely worth a visit.