Dorfkirche Diedersdorf, church

Diedersdorf village church is a plastered cobblestone church dating from the 14th century. In danger of completely falling to ruin in the 1970s, the church with its friendly plaster façade and slightly elevated position on the historic village green is a real eye-catcher from afar. Together with the building complex consisting of the village’s parochial house, the museum barn and the museum parlour, the village green and the neighbouring castle bear witness to its history as a typical estate village. The interior of the church has been kept simple. An oil painting by Abraham Bloemaert dating from 1640 is therefore all the more effective. The painting depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds.
The structure was built as a simple rectangular church in the early 18th century. A tower was later added to the west side and a chapel/crypt for the nobility on the south side. Over the years, the windows were enlarged and the height of the building was increased. From the mid-20th century, the condition of the building visibly deteriorated until 1975 and the bell had to be silenced. In 1976, the church was closed down by building inspectors and all use of the building was forbidden. The parish council were being pressurised to declare the church a ruin. The parish resisted all attempts to force then to give up the church and embarked on a major, four year restoration of the church. Thirty percent of the construction costs were covered by the people of Diedersdorf themselves. The complete restoration of the church was only possible through the extraordinary commitment of all involved and through material support from partner parishes in West Germany. In 1980, Diedersdorf village church was re-opened with a celebratory service. In 1999, the church tower was completely rebuilt.

In summer, the church is open for viewings at the weekend and on public holidays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and by arrangement.