Brunnen Abbey (Endorf)

In 1705, a hermitage with a chapel existed near a (healing) spring. On maps from this period, the spring is marked as "Fons medicinalis". It is unclear whether this hermitage was occupied by Capuchins or Franciscans. In 1722, a Capuchin residence was established, which was elevated to a monastery in 1724. 4 to 5 friars, plus 1 to 2 lay brothers, lived permanently in the monastery. The construction of the monastery buildings took place between 1729 and 1735. Between 1742 and 1748, the church was built by a master builder from Augsburg. The altars were designed by Johann Conrad Schlaun. The church itself is a simple hall church with a transversely rectangular choir to the south, a barrel vault, and narrow round-arched windows. The interior furnishings consistently date from the 18th century. An organ from 1801 is noteworthy. To the west, the equally simple monastery building adjoins the church. Although the monastery was not dissolved during the secularization in 1804, it was no longer allowed to admit new monks. However, the valuable (and unique in this deserted, sparsely populated area) monastery library was already scattered to the winds at that time. After the death of the last friar in 1834, the monastery was converted into a school vicariate and a small school was established. With the school reforms of the 1960s, this was closed. Since 1975, the monastery building has been the Diocesan and Educational Center of the Catholic Youth Community (KJG) Diocesan Association Paderborn. The monastery church is part of the Pastoral Association Oberes Röhrtal.