Cappel Abbey

The foundation of Kloster Cappel is dated to around 1140, with the first documented mention appearing in 1196. It was dedicated to Saints Mary and Andrew. Originally belonging to the Diocese of Münster, it later transferred to the Archdiocese of Cologne. In the 16th century, following the Reformation, the monastery gradually transformed into a secular, evangelical women's collegiate foundation. The official conversion took place in 1588, after the last Catholic provost had left the monastery. Attempts at counter-reformation failed. The Catholic Church officially dissolved the monastery in 1639, with the Catholic tradition continuing in the provostry of Eikeloh until 1659. The Protestant women's collegiate foundation of Cappel existed until 1971, when it was merged with the St. Marien foundation in Lemgo.