- Parking available
- Bus stop available
- No admission allowed
St. Joseph's Chapel
Church
St. Joseph’s Chapel was consecrated on December 6, 1710. It stands on the site of the former leper colony. Beginning in the 13th century, leper colonies were established in many cities, where people suffering from leprosy were forced to live (due to the risk of infection).
Address
St. Joseph's Chapel
An den Bleichen
34431 Marsberg
Telephone: +49 2992 / 3388
Properties:
The first mention of a leper hospital in Niedermarsberg dates back to the year 1348. On the 1662 border map, it is marked as lying far outside the town gates and beyond the Diemel River. As late as 1884, the field name “Seuchenkamp” was still in use.
In 1807, church treasurer Kloke wrote about a procession to this chapel and about Masses that were celebrated there every Friday during Lent. Beginning in 1807, the cemetery near St. Magnus Church was abandoned and relocated to the area of St. Joseph’s Chapel. However, due to its location in a flood-prone area, it was closed again as early as 1820 and moved to Bilstein. After that, the chapel seems to have fallen into oblivion. In 1829, it was described as dilapidated. In 1838, Theodor Caspari arrived in Marsberg as pastor. This exceptionally energetic pastor advocated for the renovation of St. Joseph’s Chapel shortly after taking office. He persistently negotiated with the city over who was responsible for covering the costs. Ultimately, he was able to prove that the city was obligated to fund the chapel’s renovation. In 1842–43, the chapel was repaired at the town’s expense. After its renovation, the chapel appears to have been used for regular church services until around 1900. Since 1987, the building has been listed on the town’s register of historic monuments and is thus under special protection.
Traditionally, a Mass is held here on March 19, the chapel’s patronal feast day.
In 1807, church treasurer Kloke wrote about a procession to this chapel and about Masses that were celebrated there every Friday during Lent. Beginning in 1807, the cemetery near St. Magnus Church was abandoned and relocated to the area of St. Joseph’s Chapel. However, due to its location in a flood-prone area, it was closed again as early as 1820 and moved to Bilstein. After that, the chapel seems to have fallen into oblivion. In 1829, it was described as dilapidated. In 1838, Theodor Caspari arrived in Marsberg as pastor. This exceptionally energetic pastor advocated for the renovation of St. Joseph’s Chapel shortly after taking office. He persistently negotiated with the city over who was responsible for covering the costs. Ultimately, he was able to prove that the city was obligated to fund the chapel’s renovation. In 1842–43, the chapel was repaired at the town’s expense. After its renovation, the chapel appears to have been used for regular church services until around 1900. Since 1987, the building has been listed on the town’s register of historic monuments and is thus under special protection.
Traditionally, a Mass is held here on March 19, the chapel’s patronal feast day.
Directions
Bus routes from Marsberg Train Station: 385, 491, 496 Marsberg Train Station is centrally located in the city center. In addition, there are approximately 1,000 free parking spaces within a 500-meter radius of the Marsberg city center, including the Park & Ride lot on the street “An den Gleisen.” You can get to Marsberg… … by car: • A44 Dortmund–Kassel (Marsberg interchange, Lichtenau interchange) • B7 Chemnitz–Düsseldorf (direct connection) • A33 Paderborn–Osnabrück (about 30 minutes) • B252 Blomberg–Marburg (about 20 minutes) • A7 Kassel–Hanover (about 60 minutes) … by train (hourly service): • Dortmund-Sauerland-Express (Warburg–Dortmund) • Three stops in Marsberg: Bredelar, (Nieder-)Marsberg, Westheim • Direct connection to the IC/ICE stations in Warburg and Dortmund