Langenbrück Castle (Westerkappeln)

The Langenbrück manor, located on the border of Westerkappeln and Mettingen in the Metten hamlet, was from ancient times a noble estate with parliamentary rights. It was built around 1350 by Rudolf von Langen, who also built Haus Langewiese near Ibbenbüren. In both cases, the family name apparently played a role in the naming. From about 1500, it was owned by the noble family von Ledebur. In the 17th century, the estate then passed first to the von Lutten family and later to the von Ittersum family. In 1754, Oberamtmann Niedermeyer acquired it, followed by further changes of ownership. The manor house was built in its current form in 1825 and was still completely surrounded by a moat during the 19th century.

Since 1928, Haus Langenbrück has been in the private possession of the German-Dutch entrepreneurial family Brenninkmeijer (German spelling: Brenninkmeyer). As an old Mettingen "Tüötten" dynasty, they had achieved prosperity, especially from the mid-19th century, through textile trade, after founding the clothing company C&A in the Netherlands in 1841 and opening several branches there from 1861. The now globally active group is still solely family-owned.

Regular family gatherings and holidays at the ancestral seat of Langenbrück are obligatory for many clan members. Although spread all over the world, the Brenninkmeijers are closely connected to their hometown of Mettingen and own other residences in Westerkappeln's neighboring town. The Brenninkmeijers traditionally find their final resting place in the Mettingen cemetery. The company and family motto "Eendracht maakt Macht" (Unity makes Strength) is displayed on the front of Haus Langenbrück.

Even before Franz Brenninkmeijer acquired the manor, the strictly Catholic family promoted divine service in the Langenbrück manor chapel. With their help, the chapel was rebuilt and expanded. The first room with the entrance from the archway became the sacristy; the second room became the altar area. The Langenbrück Resurrection Chapel now seats about 60 people. Services are held here every Sunday.

The Langenbrück estate archive, which was demonstrably still present in 1903 and 1907, has been lost. In 1928, the archive was no longer there. Investigations by local experts suggest that it was destroyed shortly before the sale of the estate to the Brenninkmeijers.

The Haus Langenbrück complex is not publicly accessible.