St. Nikomedes convent chamber
Convent chamber (1985) in the sacristy of St. Nikomedes Church in the city quarter of Borghorst, Church Square
The so-called "convent chamber" was established in 1985, in the old sacristy on the north side of the choir. It owes its origins to the "idea of a new preservation", which focuses on visual-theological links, in contrast to purely aesthetic, museum-like establishments. The centre of the space is characterised by the theology of the cross, and is home to St. Nikomedes Church's most important treasure, the so-called "Borghorst Cross". This cross reliquary, dating back to the era of Emperor Otto, can be traced back to the former canonical endowment. This example of the goldsmith's art was probably made in the middle of the 11th century in a workshop in northwestern Germany. It was donated by Bertha, the convent's third abbess, who is depicted on the reverse. The front has a depiction of Emperor Henry III, whose family was closely connected with Borghorst Convent's founding family. On the front, the cross has three rock crystal containers holding a total of 17 relics.
Three additional areas are grouped around the convent cross, which forms the centre. The first area is devoted to the cult of relics and medieval liturgy, the second to modern liturgy, and the third to the convent 'Minne' tradition. The 30 objects selected here range from items of significance to western culture as a whole, to those with merely regional significance, and they illustrate the Borghorst Church's 1,000 year history and religious tradition. Thus, visitors can view - among other treasures - three bronze lamps dating back to the 12th century, a relic statuette of St. Nikomedes (the Borghorst Church's main patron) dating back to around 1380/90, and a late Gothic Mother of God with the Infant Jesus. A series of modern vestments and implements for celebrating Mass complement the exhibition, which is completed by a convent cup dating back to 1714. It bears the inscription "Long live the Capitulum of Borghorst".