Monastery Church

The Paterskirche, a former Franciscan monastery church, was constructed between 1631 and 1637 in the post-Gothic style, based on designs by Father Bernardinus Kars from Düsseldorf, a member of the Franciscan Order of Strict Observance. It is the largest vaulted hall church in the Lower Rhine region.

Following a visit by Clemens August, Elector and Archbishop of Cologne, the church interior was redesigned in the Baroque style. Today, it features three altars, a pulpit, and confessionals from that period. In 1752, a magnificent organ built by the Cologne organ maker Ludwig König was installed; it underwent extensive restoration in 2000.

Until secularisation in 1802, the Paterskirche served as a monastery church, after which it was used for school services. Closed in 1971 due to structural concerns, it was reopened in 1978 as a Museum of Lower Rhine Sacred Art.

The museum houses sacred wooden sculptures and the valuable liturgical treasures of the parish church of St. Mariae Geburt (St. Mary's Birth) – including chalices, ciboria, candlesticks and other ecclesiastical artefacts dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (entrance on the opposite side).

The Paterskirche also functions as a concert venue, particularly renowned for classical music. The Kempen Monastery Concerts enjoy a reputation that extends well beyond the region.