Herford - St. Johann

After warlike situations, the collegiate which was in existence since 974 moved from Enger into the fortified town of Herford in 1414. Everything of value (of course the relics of Widukind) so came to Herford. The collegiate used the St. Johann church, as their collegiat church upto the secularisation in 1810.

Originally this gothic hall church was the parish church of the 1224 founded "new town"-area in Herford. The construction of the church started 1240. When the collegiate moved in, the church got a very valuable interior, which got lost, due to an iconoclasm, that took place here in 1532, when everything that could be moved out was moved out - and burnt. Only the choir, being owned by the collegiate, was spared out. All the baroque furniture, we see today was installed within the 17th century.

On the sides and on the galleries, the local guildes had their specific seats, that were proudly decorated. There were special seats for the guildes of weavers, bakers, shoemakers, tailors and others.