around 900First church construction in Alsfeld

The fundamental findings regarding the origin of Alsfeld’s main church, St. Walpurgis, are only a little over 50 years old. When a modern hot-air heating system was to be installed in 1971/72, the existing floor had to be lifted to a certain depth. The Alsfeld History and Museum Association took this opportunity for further excavations. Under the expert guidance of archaeologist Dr. Jürgen Michler (Marburg), not only early burial sites but also evidence of various construction stages of the church were uncovered. The most impressive and oldest image appeared in the nave: the foundation remains of a first three-aisled basilica with a triple-apsed choir. From this approximately 16-meter-long and nearly 11-meter-wide nucleus, today’s church building, including the tower, developed over the following centuries.

Since there are no documents such as a consecration certificate, a statement about the age of the original church could only be made through typological comparisons. Accordingly, a founding in the 9th/10th century, thus in pre-Romanesque times, can be assumed. Much later, in 1233, a document confirms the existence of a parish church in Alsfeld. And the oldest name confirmation of the patron saint Walpurga is preserved in a letter of indulgence from 1331. (NH)