This is a list of

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

religious houses, both for men and for women, whether or not still in operation, in

North Rhine-Westphalia North Rhine-Westphalia (german: Nordrhein-Westfalen, ; li, Noordrien-Wesfale ; nds, Noordrhien-Westfalen; ksh, Noodrhing-Wäßßfaale), commonly shortened to NRW (), is a States of Germany, state (''Land'') in Western Germany. With more tha ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

. Most religious houses survived the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

, although many nunneries did so by becoming Lutheran collegiate foundations for women of the aristocracy ('' Damenstifte''). The great majority were closed however during the

secularisation In sociology, secularization (or secularisation) is the transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward non-religious values and secular institutions. The ''secularization thesis'' expresses the ...

of the Napoleonic period, with the exception of the hospital orders, such as the

Alexians The Alexians officially named as the Congregation of Alexian Brothers ( la, Congregatio Fratrum Cellitarum seu Alexianorum) abbreviated C.F.A., is a Catholic lay religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men specifically devoted to caring ...

and their female equivalents, the Cellite Sisters, the number of whose houses is a notable feature of the ''Land''. Also noteworthy are the small communities of local origin, such as the Olpe Sisters and the Schervier Sisters. Extant religious houses are indicated by bold type. __NOTOC__

A

Aachen Aachen ( ; ; Aachen dialect: ''Oche'' ; French and traditional English: Aix-la-Chapelle; or ''Aquisgranum''; nl, Aken ; Polish: Akwizgran) is, with around 249,000 inhabitants, the 13th-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the 28th- ...

: ** Aachen Priory: Dominicans 1293–1802;

Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus The Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women, founded at Aachen, Germany, in 1844 for the support and education of poor, orphan, and destitute children, especially girls. It was approved by Pope Pius IX ...

1842–today ** Alexian Hospital, Aachen (with St. Alexius' Church) (''Alexianer Krankenhaus Aachen'' and ''Alexiuskirche Aachen''):

1334–today ** Christenserine motherhouse (14th century – 1973; moved to the Haus Maria im Venn, Stolberg) ** Convent of the Poor Sisters of Saint Francis, Aachen:

Poor Sisters of St. Francis The Poor Sisters of St. Francis ( la, Sorores Pauperae sancti Francisci, abbreviated as S.P.S.F.) ( ger, Armen-Schwestern vom heiligen Franziskus), also known as the ''Aachener Franziskanerinnen'', are a religious congregation founded by the Blessed ...

, also known as the Schervier Sisters, 1852–today ** St. Anne's Abbey or Priory, Aachen, now St. Anne's Church, Aachen (''Kloster St. Joachim und Anna'', now the ''Annakirche''): Benedictine nuns 1511–1794 ** ''St. Jöris' Abbey, see St. Jöris'' * Abdinghof Abbey or Priory (''Abdinghofkloster''),

Paderborn Paderborn (; Westphalian: ''Patterbuorn'', also ''Paterboärn'') is a city in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader and ''Born'', an old German term for t ...

: Benedictine monks 1015–1803 *

Altenberg Abbey Altenberg Abbey (''Abtei Altenberg'') ( la, Vetus Mons) is a former Cistercian monastery in Altenberg, now a part of the municipality of Odenthal in the Bergisches Land, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. History The abbey was founded in 1133 ...

(''Abtei Altenberg''), Altenberg: Cistercian monks 1133–1803 *

Arnsberg Arnsberg (; wep, Arensperg) is a town in the Hochsauerland county, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the location of the Regierungsbezirk Arnsberg administration and one of the three local administration offices of the Hochs ...

: ** Jesuit Mission, Arnsberg (''Jesuitenmission Arnsberg'') 1651–1773 *

Attendorn Attendorn () is a German town in the Olpe district in North Rhine-Westphalia. As of 2019 it had a population of 24,264. History The town's location was favoured by the good climate in the Attendorn-Elsper Limestone Double Basin (''Attendorn- ...

: ** Attendorn Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Attendorn''): Franciscan friars 1636–1803 **''Ewig Priory, Attendorn, see Ewig'' **''Waldenburg Commandery, Attendorn, see Waldenburg''

B

* Haus Carola,

Bad Waldliesborn Lippstadt () is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest town within the district of Soest. Lippstadt is situated about 60 kilometres east of Dortmund, 40 kilometres south of Bielefeld and 30 kilometres west of Paderborn. Ge ...

Lippstadt Lippstadt () is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest town within the district of Soest. Lippstadt is situated about 60 kilometres east of Dortmund, 40 kilometres south of Bielefeld and 30 kilometres west of Paderborn. Ge ...

: Olpe Sisters ( Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration; dates tbe) * Beckum Abbey (''Kollegiatstift St. Stephanus''), Beckum: men's collegiate foundation 1267–1811 * Bedburg Abbey (''Marienstift Bedburg''),

Bedburg-Hau Bedburg-Hau is a municipality in the district of Kleve in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 5 km south-east of Kleve. One of its main attractions is Museum Schloss Moyland, a castle with a museum of ...

: Premonstratensians, before 1138 – c. 1270; regular canonesses c. 1270–1519; secular canonesses 1517–1802; moved to Cleves in 1604 * Belecke Priory (''Propstei Belecke''), Belecke,

Warstein Warstein () is a municipality with town status in the district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located at the north end of Sauerland. Geography Warstein is located north of the Arnsberger Wald (forest) at a brook called Wäs ...

: Benedictine monks 1270–1804 * Benden Abbey (''Kloster Benden''), Heide, Brühl: Cistercian nuns 1207–1802 * Benninghausen Abbey (''Kloster Benninghausen''), Benninghausen,

: Cistercian nuns 1240–1804 * Bentlage Priory (''Kloster Bentlage''), Bentlage,

Rheine Rheine () is a city in the district of Steinfurt in Westphalia, Germany. It is the largest city in the district and the location of Rheine Air Base. Geography Rheine is on the river Ems, approx. north of Münster, approx. west of Osnabrück a ...

Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross The Crosiers, formally known as the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross ( la, Canonici Regulares Ordinis Sanctae Crucis), abbreviated OSC, is a Catholic religious order of canons regular of Pontifical Right for men.Redemptorist Fathers The Redemptorists officially named the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer ( la, links=no, Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris), abbreviated CSsR,is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men (priests and brother ...

Bochum Bochum ( , also , ; wep, Baukem) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia. With a population of 364,920 (2016), is the sixth largest city (after Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen and Duisburg) of the most populous Germany, German federal state o ...

* Böddeken Abbey (or Priory), Büren: women's collegiate foundation (

Frauenstift The term (; nl, sticht) is derived from the verb (to donate) and originally meant 'a donation'. Such donations usually comprised earning assets, originally landed estates with serfs defraying dues (originally often in kind) or with vassal tenan ...

) 836 – 11th century; secular canonesses 11th century – 1408; re-founded as Augustinian Canons under the

Windesheim Congregation The Congregation of Windesheim ( la, Congregatio Vindesemensis) is a congregation of Augustinian canons regular (i.e., ecclesiastics living in community and bound by vows). It takes its name from its most important monastery, which was located at ...

1408/09 – 1803 * Bödingen Priory (''Kloster Bödingen''),

Hennef Hennef (Sieg) () is a town in the Rhein-Sieg district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Sieg, approx. south-east of Siegburg and east of Bonn. Hennef is the fourth-biggest town in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis (i.e. distric ...

Augustinian Hermits The Order of Saint Augustine, ( la, Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini) abbreviated OSA, is a religious mendicant order of the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1244 by bringing together several eremitical groups in the Tuscany region who were fo ...

1424–1803 * Boke Abbey (''Kloster Boke''), Boke,

Delbrück Delbrück () is a town in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the district Paderborn. History The first document mentioning the town dates to 1219. In 1410, the town was destroyed by fire during a conflict between the bisho ...

: Benedictine monks 1101–1104 (moved to Flechtdorf Abbey in Hesse) * Redemptorist Fathers,

Bonn The federal city of Bonn ( lat, Bonna) is a city on the banks of the Rhine in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of over 300,000. About south-southeast of Cologne, Bonn is in the southernmost part of the Rhine-Ruhr r ...

* St. Remigius' Abbey, Borken (''Kollegiatstift St. Remigius''), Borken: men's collegiate foundation 1433–1811 *

Bottenbroich Abbey Bottenbroich Abbey, later Bottenbroich Priory (german: Kloster Bottenbroich), was a former Cistercian religious house located in Bottenbroich, now in Frechen, about three kilometres north-east of Kerpen, in the present Rhein-Erft-Kreis of North Rh ...

, later Bottenbroich Priory (''Kloster Bottenbroich''),

Kerpen Kerpen (; Ripuarian: ''Kerpe'') is the most populated town in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). It is located about 20 kilometres southwest from Cologne. Division of the town The town of Kerpen was created in 1975, whe ...

: Cistercian nuns 1231 (or 1253)–1448; Cistercian monks 1448–1802 *

Brauweiler Abbey Brauweiler Abbey (german: Abtei Brauweiler) is a former Rule of St. Benedict, Benedictine monastery located at Brauweiler, now in Pulheim near Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany. History The monastery was founded and endowed in 1024 by ...

(''Abtei Brauweiler''),

Pulheim Pulheim (; Ripuarian language, Ripuarian: ''Pullem'') is a town in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Since the 1920s, a large substation of the ''Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk AG'' (RWE) is located at Pulheim. I ...

: Benedictine monks 1024–1803 * Bredelar Abbey (''Kloster Bredelar''), Bredelar,

Marsberg Marsberg () is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. History Although its origins are obscure, Marsberg was a prospering town by the 13th century (it was even minting coins). It was a free city until 1807, when ...

: Premonstratensians, approximately 1170–1196; Cistercian monks 1196–1804 * Brenkhausen Abbey (''Kloster Brenkhausen''), Brenkhausen near

Höxter Höxter () is a town in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany on the left bank of the river Weser, 52 km north of Kassel in the centre of the Weser Uplands. The main town's population is around 15,000, and with outlying centres, about 30,0 ...

: Cistercian nuns c1245 re-settled with Benedictine nuns from

Corvey The Princely Abbey of Corvey (german: link=no, Fürststift Corvey or Fürstabtei Corvey) is a former Benedictine abbey and ecclesiastical principality now in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was one of the half-dozen self-ruling '' princely ...

1601–1803; from 1993 monastery and bishop's seat of the

Coptic Church The Coptic Orthodox Church ( cop, Ϯⲉⲕ̀ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ, translit=Ti.eklyseya en.remenkimi en.orthodoxos, lit=the Egyptian Orthodox Church; ar, الكنيسة القبطي� ...

in Germany * Brilon Friary (''Minoritenkloster Brilon''),

Brilon Brilon (; Westphalian: ''Brailen'') is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, central Germany, that belongs to the Hochsauerlandkreis. Geography Brilon is situated on the Brilon Heights at an altitude of about 450 m on the upper reaches of the r ...

: Friars Minor 1653–1803 * Brunnen Priory (''Kloster Brunnen''),

Sundern Sundern is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The name Sundern is common in Westphalia, as it means "ground given away for private usage" in the Westphalian dialect. Geography Sundern is situated approximate ...

: Capuchin Friars 1722–1834 *

Burtscheid Abbey Burtscheid Abbey (german: Abtei Burtscheid) was a Benedictine monastery, after 1220 a Cistercian nunnery, located at Burtscheid, near Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany. History The abbey was founded in 997 under Emperor Otto III. The fi ...

(''Abtei Burtscheid''),

Burtscheid Burtscheid ( la, Porcetum) is a district of the city of Aachen, part of the Aachen-Mitte Stadtbezirk. It is a health resort. History It was inhabited since ancient times by Celts and Romans, who were attracted by the presence of hot springs. Bu ...

, Aachen: Benedictine monks 997–1220; Cistercian nuns 1220–1802

C

* Cappenberg Abbey (''Kloster Cappenberg''), later

Schloss Cappenberg Cappenberg Castle (german: Schloss Cappenberg) is a former Premonstratensian monastery, Cappenberg Abbey (german: Kloster Cappenberg) in Cappenberg, a part of Selm, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It stands on an elevation, the Cappenberg, near ...

(Cappenberg Castle),

Selm Selm is a town in the district of Unna, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approximately 20 kilometers north of Dortmund and 25 kilometers west of Hamm. Geography The town belongs to the southern part of the Münsterland. It ...

: Premonstratensian Canons 1122–1802/03 * Clarenberg Priory (''Kloster Clarenberg''),

Hörde Hörde is a ''Stadtbezirk'' ("City District") and also a ''Stadtteil'' ('' Quarter'') in the south of the city of Dortmund, in Germany. Hörde is situated at 51°29' North, 7°30' West, and is at an elevation of 112 metres above mean sea level. ...

Dortmund Dortmund (; Westphalian nds, Düörpm ; la, Tremonia) is the third-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne and Düsseldorf, and the eighth-largest city of Germany, with a population of 588,250 inhabitants as of 2021. It is the la ...

: Poor Clares 1339–1583: secular canonesses 1583–1812 * Clarholz Abbey (or Priory) (''Stift'' or ''Kloster Clarholz''),

Herzebrock-Clarholz Herzebrock-Clarholz is a town in the district of Gütersloh in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 10 km west of Gütersloh. Adjacent towns *Bredeck *Harsewinkel *Gütersloh *Rheda-Wiedenbrück *Oelde * ...

: Premonstratensian canons before 1146–1803 (fdd 1133 in Lette in

Oelde Oelde () is a town in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located near Beckum. Geography Division of the town Oelde consists of 5 districts: * Oelde * Stromberg * Lette * Sünninghausen * Kirchspiel (with farmi ...

as a double monastery, but separated by 1146, and canons moved to Clarholz, while nuns stayed in Lette) * Cleves Abbey or Priory (''Stift Kleve''),

Cleves Kleve (; traditional en, Cleves ; nl, Kleef; french: Clèves; es, Cléveris; la, Clivia; Low Rhenish: ''Kleff'') is a town in the Lower Rhine region of northwestern Germany near the Dutch border and the River Rhine. From the 11th century ...

: canons 1334–1802 *

Cologne Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western States of Germany, state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 m ...

: ** Redemptorist Fathers, Cologne (dates tbe) ** Alexian Hospital, Cologne (''Alexianer Krankenhaus Köln''): Alexians 1300–today ** St. Anthony's Hospital, Cologne (''Antoniterkloster''; church now the ''Antoniterkirche'') 1350 x 1378–1794 ** Cologne Charterhouse (''Kartäuserkloster Köln''): Carthusians 1334–1794 ** St. Elisabeth's House, Cologne: Olpe Sisters (dates tbe) ** St. Elisabeth's Convent, Cologne: (''Cellitinnen zur heiligen Elisabeth''): Cellite Sisters (dates tbe) ** St. Gertrude's Priory (''Kloster Sankt Gertrud''): tbe ** St. Mary's Convent, Cologne (''Cellitinnen zur heiligen Maria''): Cellite Sisters (dates tbe) ** Convent of the Cellite Sisters of the Rule of St. Augustine, Cologne (''Cellitinnen nach der Regel des hl. Augustinus''): Cellite Sisters (dates tbe) *

Corvey Abbey The Princely Abbey of Corvey (german: link=no, Fürststift Corvey or Fürstabtei Corvey) is a former Benedictine abbey and ecclesiastical principality now in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was one of the half-dozen self-ruling '' princely ...

(''Kloster Corvey''),

: Benedictine monks 822–1807

D

* Dalheim Priory or Abbey (''Kloster Dalheim''), Dalheim, Lichtenau:

Austin Canons Canons regular are priests who live in community under a rule ( and canon in greek) and are generally organised into religious orders, differing from both secular canons and other forms of religious life, such as clerics regular, designated by a ...

1429–1803 *

Deutz Abbey Deutz Abbey ( or ''Abtei Deutz'') was a Benedictine monastery located at Deutz, now part of Cologne as Köln-Deutz, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded in 1003 on the site of a Roman fort by the future Saint Heribert, Archbishop of ...

(''Abtei Deutz''),

Deutz, Cologne The Cologne borough of Deutz (german: Köln-Deutz ; ), is a part of central Cologne, Germany, and was once an independent town. History Deutz was established under Roman Emperor Constantine I in 310 AD, when he established ''Castrum Divitia'', ...

: Benedictine monks 1003–1804 *

Dorsten Dorsten (; Westphalian language, Westphalian: ''Dössen'') is a town in the district of Recklinghausen (district), Recklinghausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and has a population of about 75,000. Dorsten is situated on the western rim of ...

: ** Dorsten Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Dorsten''): Franciscan friars 1488–today ** St. Michael's Carmel, Dorsten (''Karmel St. Michael''):

Discalced Carmelites The Discalced Carmelites, known officially as the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel ( la, Ordo Fratrum Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo) or the Order of Discalced Carme ...

1998–today ** Ursuline Convent, Dorsten (''Ursulinenkloster Dorsten''): Ursuline Sisters 1699–today * Drolshagen Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Drolshagen''),

Drolshagen Drolshagen is a town belonging to the district of Olpe in the ''Regierungsbezirk'' of Arnsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, lying roughly 5 km west of Olpe. Geography Location Drolshagen lies in the heavily wooded ''Naturpark E ...

: Cistercian nuns 1235–1803 * St. Victor's Abbey or Priory, Dülmen (''Stift St. Viktor, Dülmen''),

Dülmen Dülmen () is a town in the district of Coesfeld (district), Coesfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Dülmen is situated in the south part of the Münsterland area, between the Lippe (river), Lippe river to the south, the Baumberge ...

: men's collegiate foundation 1323–1811 *

Düren Düren (; ripuarian: Düre) is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, between Aachen and Cologne on the river Rur. History Roman era The area of Düren was part of Gallia Belgica, more specifically the territory of the Eburones, a people ...

: ** Düren Priory or Carmel (''Karmelitinnenkloster Düren''),

: Discalced Carmelites 1903–today ** St. Gertude's Convent, Düren: Cellite Sisters (dates tbe) * Convent of the Cellite Sisters, Düsseldorf (''Cellitinnenkloster Düsseldorf''),

Düsseldorf Düsseldorf ( , , ; often in English sources; Low Franconian and Ripuarian: ''Düsseldörp'' ; archaic nl, Dusseldorp ) is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in th ...

: Cellite Sisters (dates tbe)

E

Elsey Abbey Elsey Abbey, earlier Elsey Priory (german: Kloster Elsey) is a former women's religious house located near Elsey, now part of Hagen-Hohenlimburg, Hohenlimburg, Hagen, Germany. It was founded in about 1220 by Friedrich von Isenberg for Premonstra ...

or Priory (''Kloster Elsey''), Hohenlimburg,

Hagen Hagen () is the Largest cities in Germany, 41st-largest List of cities and towns in Germany, city in Germany. The municipality is located in the States of Germany, state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is located on the south eastern edge of the R ...

: secular canonesses 1220–1810 * Wallfahrtstätte Eremitage, Niederdielfen,

Wilnsdorf Wilnsdorf is a municipality in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography The southern municipal limits, with the Kalteiche peak, part of the Rothaargebirge, form not only the community's highest point, at ...

: Poor Clares 1953–today * Eikeloh Priory (''Propstei Eikeloh''),

Erwitte Erwitte () is a town in the district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Erwitte is situated approximately 8 km south of Lippstadt and 15 km east of Soest. Neighbouring municipalities * Lippstadt * Geseke * Rüt ...

: Premonstratensian nuns 1639–1803 *

Eschweiler Eschweiler (, Ripuarian: ) is a municipality in the district of Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany on the river Inde, near the German-Belgian-Dutch border, and about east of Aachen and west of Cologne. History * Celts (fir ...

: ** Alexian Hospital, Eschweiler (''Alexianerkloster Eschweiler'') 1909–1944 ** Helene-Nickel-Stift, Röhe: tbe *

Essen Abbey Essen Abbey (''Stift Essen'') was a community of secular canonesses for women of high nobility that formed the nucleus of modern-day Essen, Germany. It was founded about 845 by the Saxon Altfrid (died 874), later Bishop of Hildesheim and saint, ...

(''Stift Essen''),

Essen Essen (; Latin: ''Assindia'') is the central and, after Dortmund, second-largest city of the Ruhr, the largest urban area in Germany. Its population of makes it the fourth-largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne, Düsseldorf and D ...

: secular canonesses 845–1803 * Ewig Priory or Abbey (''Kloster Ewig''),

: Austin Canons 1420–1803

F

* St. Boniface's Abbey, Freckenhorst (''Stift Sankt Bonifatius, Freckenhorst''),

Freckenhorst Warendorf () is a ''Kreis'' (district) in the northern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Steinfurt, Osnabrück (district), Gütersloh, Soest, district-free city Hamm, Coesfeld and the district-free city Münster. ...

Warendorf Warendorf (, Westphalian: ''Warnduorp'') is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and capital of Warendorf District. The town is best known today for its well-preserved medieval town centre, for horse-riding, and the opportunities it prov ...

: secular canonesses 851-1811 * Fröndenberg Abbey or Priory (''Stift Fröndenberg''),

Fröndenberg Fröndenberg (; Westphalian: ''Frönnenbiärg'') is a town in the district of Unna, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Fröndenberg is situated in the Ruhr valley, approx. 10 km south-east of the district capital Unna, near the H ...

: Cistercian nuns 1225 x 1230-c 1650; secular canonesses (''Damenstift'') c1650-1812 * Fürstenberg Abbey (''Kloster Fürstenberg''),

Xanten Xanten (, Low Rhenish: ''Santen'') is a town in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the district of Wesel. Xanten is known for the Archaeological Park, one of the largest archaeological open air museums in the wor ...

: Benedictine monks and nuns 1116-1259; Cistercian nuns 1259-1586

G

Medebach-Glindfeld Augustinerinnenkloster Sauerland-Ost 138

* Galilee Priory (''Kloster Galiläa'') near

Meschede Meschede () is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the district Hochsauerlandkreis. Education One of the five branches of South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences (also: Fachhoc ...

: Dominican nuns 1484-1810 * Gehrden Abbey (''Kloster Gehrden''), Gehrden, Brakel: Benedictine nuns 1142-1810 * Geistingen Priory (''Kloster Geistingen'') in Geistingen,

: Redemptorists 1903-1941; orphanage 1941-1946; educational purposes to 2006 *

Gerleve Abbey Gerleve Abbey (in German Kloster or Abtei Gerleve) is a monastery of the Benedictine Order situated between Coesfeld and Billerbeck in Westphalia (North Rhine-Westphalia), in Germany. History The community, dedicated to Saint Joseph, was founded ...

(''Abtei Gerleve''),

Billerbeck Billerbeck ( Westphalian: ''Billerbiëk'') is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Geography Neighbor towns/cities Billerbeck has boundaries to Rosendahl, Laer, Altenberge, Havixbeck, Nottuln and Coes ...

: Benedictine monks 1899-today * Gerresheim Abbey (''Stift Gerresheim''),

Gerresheim Gerresheim is one of the City of Düsseldorf, Germany's fifty quarters. Part of Borough 7, it is located in the eastern part of the municipality. Gerresheim is much older than Düsseldorf itself, having been an independent city with a rich histor ...

: secular canonesses 9th century – 1803 * Gertrudisstift,

Ruppichteroth Ruppichteroth is a municipality in the Rhein-Sieg district, in the southern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 30 kilometers east of Bonn. Districts In 1969, the old municipality of Winterscheid became part of R ...

: Mission Sisters of the Precious Blood (''Missionsschwestern vom Kostbaren Blut''), also known as the Mariannhiller Sisters, 1916-today *

Geseke ''Geseke'' () is a town in the administrative district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Geseke is situated approximately 12 km south-east of Lippstadt and 20 km south-west of Paderborn. The city is located at the ...

: ** Geseke Abbey or Priory (''

Geseke''): secular canonesses 946-1823 ** Franciscan friary, Geseke: Franciscan friars 1637-1834 * Gevelsberg Abbey (''Kloster Gevelsberg''),

Gevelsberg Gevelsberg (; Westphalian: ''Gievelsbiärg'') is a town in the district of Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography The town lies in the valley of the river Ennepe in the Süder Uplands, which is part of the Rhenish Massi ...

: Cistercian nuns c1230 x 1236-c 1577; secular canonesses (''Damenstift'') c 1577-1812 * Glindfeld Priory (''Augustinerinnenkloster Glindfeld''),

Medebach Medebach () is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Medebach is situated approximately east of Winterberg, south-west of Korbach and north of Marburg. Neighbouring municipalities * Korbach * L ...

: Augustinian Canonesses 1298-1499; Canons Regular of the Holy Cross 1499-1804 * Goch Priory (''Tertiarinnenkloster Goch''),

Goch Goch (; archaic spelling: Gog, Dutch: Gogh) is a town in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated close to the border with the Siebengewald in Netherlands, approx. south of Kleve, and southeast of Nijmegen. His ...

: Franciscan Tertiaries (dates tbe) * Graefenthal Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Graefenthal''), Kessel,

: Cistercian nuns 1248-1802 * Gräfrath Abbey (''Kloster Gräfrath''),

Gräfrath Gräfrath or Graefrath is a district of Solingen in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, about east of Düsseldorf. History There was an abbey An abbey is a type of monastery used by members of a religious order under the ...

Solingen Solingen (; li, Solich) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located some 25 km east of Düsseldorf along the northern edge of the region called Bergisches Land, south of the Ruhr area, and, with a 2009 population of 161,366, ...

: Benedictine nuns, before 1209-1802 *

Grafschaft Abbey Grafschaft Abbey (german: Kloster Grafschaft) is a community of the Sisters of Mercy of Saint Charles Borromeo, formerly a Benedictine monastery, in Schmallenberg-Grafschaft in the Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. First foundation ...

(''Kloster Grafschaft''),

Schmallenberg Schmallenberg ( Westphalian: ''Smalmereg'') is a town and a climatic health resort in the High Sauerland District, Germany. By area, it is the third biggest of all cities and towns of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the second biggest o ...

: Benedictine monks 1072-1804; Sisters of Mercy of Saint Charles Borromeo 1948-today * Gravenhorst Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Gravenhorst''),

Hörstel is a town in the district of Steinfurt, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated near the junction of the Mittellandkanal and the Dortmund-Ems Canal, approx. 10 km east of Rheine. Parts of Hörstel are Riesenbeck, Dreierwalde ...

: Cistercian nuns 1256-1808

H

* Hagenbusch Abbey (''Kloster Hagenbusch''),

: Benedictine nuns c. 1140-1802 * Haldem Abbey or Priory (''Damenstift Haldem'' or ''Karolinen-Stift''), otherwise Schloss Haldem (Haldem Castle), Haldem,

Stemwede Stemwede is a municipality in the Minden-Lübbecke district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Following a recent regional reorganization, in 1973, the former districts of Dielingen-Wehdem and Levern were consolidated and the district of "Stemwe ...

: women's collegiate foundation 1878-1890 *

Hamborn Abbey Hamborn Abbey (german: Abtei Hamborn) is a Premonstratensian monastery in the Alt-Hamborn district of Duisburg, Germany. The abbey is physically located in the diocese of Essen, although not formally part of it. History The present abbey church ...

(''Abtei Hamborn''), Hamborn,

Duisburg Duisburg () is a city in the Ruhr metropolitan area of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Lying on the confluence of the Rhine and the Ruhr rivers in the center of the Rhine-Ruhr Region, Duisburg is the 5th largest city in Nor ...

: Premonstratensian Canons 1136-1802, 1959-today * Hamm Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Hamm''),

Hamm Hamm (, Latin: ''Hammona'') is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northeastern part of the Ruhr area. As of 2016 its population was 179,397. The city is situated between the A1 motorway and A2 motorway. Hamm railwa ...

: Franciscan friars 1455-1824 *

Hardehausen Abbey Hardehausen Abbey (''Kloster Hardehausen'') is a former Cistercian monastery located near Warburg in the Höxter (district), district of Höxter in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. History In 1009 ''Herswithehusen'' became the proper ...

(''Kloster Hardehausen''),

Warburg Warburg (; Westphalian language, Westphalian: ''Warberich'' or ''Warborg'') is a town in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, central Germany on the river Diemel near the three-state point shared by Hessen, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It ...

: Cistercian monks 1140-1803, 1927–1938 *

Herstelle Abbey Herstelle Abbey, otherwise Abbey of the Holy Cross, Herstelle, is a house of Benedictine nuns in Herstelle, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The abbey was founded in 1899 on the site of a former convent of the Minorites. In 1924, it was raised ...

, otherwise Abbey of the Holy Cross, Herstelle (''Abtei vom Hl. Kreuz, Herstelle''),

Beverungen Beverungen () is a town in Höxter district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Location Beverungen lies in the Weser Uplands on the side of the Weser opposite Solling roughly 10 km south of Höxter. In parts of the eastern mu ...

: Friars Minor nk-1825; Benedictine nuns of the Most Holy Sacrament 1899-1924; Benedictine nuns 1924-today *

Heisterbach Abbey Heisterbach Abbey (Kloster Heisterbach; also Petersthal, formerly Petersberg) was a Cistercian monastery in the ''Siebengebirge'' near Oberdollendorf in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Petersberg The tradition of its origin is that a knight name ...

(''Kloster Heisterbach''),

Königswinter Königswinter ( ksh, Köningkswinte; Low Franconian: ) is a town and summer resort in the Rhein-Sieg district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Königswinter is situated on the right bank of the Rhine, opposite Bad Godesberg, at th ...

: Cistercian monks 1192-1803 *

Herford Herford (; nds, Hiarwede) is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the lowlands between the hill chains of the Wiehen Hills and the Teutoburg Forest. It is the capital of the district of Herford (district), Herford. Geography ...

: **

Herford Abbey Herford Abbey (german: Frauenstift Herford) was the oldest women's religious house in the Duchy of Saxony. It was founded as a house of secular canonesses in 789, initially in Müdehorst (near the modern Bielefeld) by a nobleman called Waltger, wh ...

(''Stift Herford''),

: secular canonesses 800-1802 ** St. John's and St. Denis's Abbey or Priory, Herford (''Stift St. Johann und Dionys, Herford''): secular canons 947-1414 * Herzebrock Abbey or Priory (''Stift Herzebrock''),

: secular canonesses c860-1208; Benedictine nuns 1208-1803 * Himmelpforten Abbey (''Kloster Himmelpforten''),

Möhnesee Möhnesee is a municipality in the district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography The Möhnesee municipality is situated around the Möhne Reservoir (hence the name), approx. 10 km south of Soest. History On the night of ...

: Cistercian nuns 1246-1804 * Hirschberg Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Hirschberg''), Hirschberg,

: Benedictine nuns 1513-1804 * Hohenbusch Priory (''Haus Hohenbusch'' or ''Kloster Hohenbusch''),

Erkelenz Erkelenz (, li, Erkelens ) is a town in the Rhineland in western Germany that lies southwest of Mönchengladbach on the northern edge of the Cologne Lowland, halfway between the Lower Rhine region and the Lower Meuse (river), Meuse. It is a med ...

: Canons Regular of the Holy Cross 1302-1802 * Holthausen Priory or Abbey (''Kloster Holthausen'', now ''Gut Holthausen''), Büren: Cistercian nuns 1243-1810 * St. Gertrude's Priory or Abbey, Horstmar (''Kollegiatstift St. Gertrud, Horstmar''),

Horstmar Horstmar is a German town, located in North Rhine-Westphalia in the Steinfurt district, approx. north-west of Münster. History Its castle was built as early as the 9th century; the first mention of Horstmar is as early as the early 11th centur ...

: secular canonesses 1325-1806

J

* St. Nicholas' Priory, Jüchen (''Nikolauskloster, Jüchen''),

Jüchen Jüchen is a municipality in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approximately 17 km southwest of Neuss and 10 km southeast of Mönchengladbach. Mayor Harald Zillikens (* 1959) (CDU) was elected may ...

: Franciscan Tertiaries 1403-1802; Franciscan oblates 1953-today

K

Kamp Abbey Kamp Abbey (Kloster Kamp), also known as Altenkamp Abbey or Alt(en)feld Abbey (and in English formerly Camp Abbey) was the first Cistercian monastery founded in German territory, in the present town of Kamp-Lintfort in North Rhine-Westphalia. H ...

(''Kloster Kamp'' or ''Altenkamp''),

Kamp-Lintfort Kamp-Lintfort () is a town in Wesel District, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located north-west of Moers. Notable people * Adolf Storms (1919–2010), member of the Waffen-SS and war criminal *Werner Fuchs (1927–2005), painter *Bri ...

: Cistercian monks 1123-1802; Carmelites 1954-2002 * ''Kappenberg, see Cappenberg'' * Kentrop Priory (''Haus Kentrop'' otherwise ''Kloster Kentrop''),

: Cistercian nuns 1290-1802 (moved here from Marienhof) * Keppel Abbey (''Stift Keppel''), Allenbach,

Hilchenbach Hilchenbach () is a town in the Siegen-Wittgenstein '' Kreis'' (district) of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Location Hilchenbach is about northeast of Siegen. The town borders in the south on Netphen, in the west on Kreuztal, in the ...

: Premonstratensian nuns 1236-1594; women's collegiate foundation 1594-1812 *

Knechtsteden Abbey Knechsteden Abbey (german: Kloster Knechtsteden) is a former Premonstratensian abbey in Dormagen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, since the 1890s a house of the Spiritans , image = Holy Ghost Fathers seal.png , size ...

(''Kloster Knechtsteden''),

Dormagen Dormagen (; Ripuarian: ''Dormaje'') is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss. Geography Dormagen is situated between Düsseldorf – Cologne – Mönchengladbach on the western bank of the river Rhine. Division of ...

: Premonstratensian Canons 1138-1801;

Spiritans , image = Holy Ghost Fathers seal.png , size = 175px , caption = The seal of the Congregation depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Trinity. , abbreviation ...

1895-today * Königsmünster Abbey (''Abtei Königsmünster''),

: Benedictine monks 1928-today *

Kornelimünster Abbey Kornelimünster Abbey (german: Benediktinerabtei Kornelimünster), also known as Abbey of the Abbot Saint Benedict of Aniane and Pope Cornelius, is a Benedictine monastery that has been integrated since 1972. The abbey is located in Aachen (in t ...

(''Abtei Kornelimünster''),

Kornelimünster Kornelimünster ( ksh, Mönster) is a town in the rural ''Münsterländchen'' area of Kornelimünster/Walheim, a district of Aachen, Germany. History The Kornelimünster Abbey was founded in 814 on the Inde River by Benedict of Aniane (750 ...

: Benedictine monks 814-1802, 1906-today * Kranenburg: ** '' Katharinenhof Kranenburg'': Augustinian women's community 1445-1802 ** St. Martin's Priory (''Stift St. Martin, Kranenburg''): canons, 1436-1802 (moved here from Zyfflich) * Kreitz Priory (''Kloster Kreitz''), Holzheim,

Neuss Neuss (; spelled ''Neuß'' until 1968; li, Nüss ; la, Novaesium) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the west bank of the Rhine opposite Düsseldorf. Neuss is the largest city within the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district. It ...

: Benedictine nuns 1899-today * Küstelberg Priory (''Augustinerinnenkloster Küstelberg''),

Winterberg Winterberg ( Westphalian: ''Winnenmerg'') is a town in the Hochsauerland district of North Rhine-Westphalia, central Germany and a major winter sport resort of the Wintersport Arena Sauerland. Geography Winterberg is located in the middle of ...

: Augustinian Canonesses 1177-1297

L

* Langwaden Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Langwaden''), Hülchrath,

Grevenbroich Grevenbroich () is a town in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Erft, approximately 15 km southwest of Neuss and 15 km southeast of Mönchengladbach. Cologne and Düsseldorf are in a 30 ...

: Premonstratensian nuns 1145-1802; Cistercian monks 1964-today * St. Mary's Priory, Lemgo (''Kloster Sankt Maria, Lemgo''),

Lemgo Lemgo (; nds, Lemge, Lemje) is a small university town in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated between the Teutoburg Forest and the Weser Uplands, 25 km east of Bielefeld and 70 km west of Hannover. T ...

: Dominican nuns (dates tbe) * Lette Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Lette''), Lette,

: Premonstratensian double monastery 1133-before 1146; canons moved to Clarholz before 1146, thereafter Premonstratensian nuns (end date tbe) * St. Elisabeth's House, Hitdorf,

Leverkusen Leverkusen () is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on the eastern bank of the Rhine. To the south, Leverkusen borders the city of Cologne, and to the north the state capital, Düsseldorf. With about 161,000 inhabitants, Leverkusen is on ...

: Olpe Sisters (dates tbe) * Levern Priory or Abbey (''Stift Levern''), Levern,

: Cistercian nuns 1227-1558; secular canonesses 1558-1810 *

Liesborn Abbey Liesborn Abbey (german: Kloster Liesborn) was a Benedictine monastery (originally for nuns or women's collegiate foundation) in Liesborn, in what was originally the Dreingau, now a part of Wadersloh in the district of Warendorf in North Rhine-West ...

(''Abtei Liesborn''),

Wadersloh Wadersloh () is a municipality in the Warendorf (district), district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approximately 10 km north-west of Lippstadt and 30 km east of Hamm. In it there is a grammar school whi ...

: Benedictine nuns 785 (or 815)-1131; Benedictine monks 1131-1803 * Lübbecke Priory or Abbey (''Stift St. Andreas, Lübbecke''),

Lübbecke Lübbecke (; wep, Lübke) is a town in northeast North Rhine-Westphalia in north Germany. This former county town lies on the northern slopes of the Wiehen Hills (''Wiehengebirge'') and has around 26,000 inhabitants. The town is part of district ...

: canons 1295-1810 * St. Anthony's Convent, Lüdinghausen (''St.-Antonius-Kloster, Lüdinghausen''),

Lüdinghausen Lüdinghausen ( Westphalian: ''Lünkhusen'' or ''Lünksel'') is a town in district of Coesfeld in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, approx. 25 km south-west of Münster. Town parts The t ...

: Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement and the Love of Christ, also known as the Lüdinghauser Sisters, c. 1900-today

M

* Maria Frieden Abbey or Dahlem Abbey (''Abtei Maria Frieden''), Dahlem: Trappist nuns 1952-today *

Mariawald Abbey Mariawald Abbey (german: link=no, Abtei Mariawald) was a monastery of the Trappists (formally known as the Cistercians of the Strict Observance), located above the village of Heimbach, in the district of Düren in the Eifel, in the forests ar ...

(''Abtei Mariawald''),

Heimbach Heimbach is a town in the district of Düren of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the river Rur, in the Eifel hills, approx. 20 km south of Düren. Heimbach has the smallest population of any town in North Rhin ...

: Cistercian monks 1480-1795,

Trappists The Trappists, officially known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance ( la, Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae, abbreviated as OCSO) and originally named the Order of Reformed Cistercians of Our Lady of La Trappe, are a ...

1862-today * Marienbaum Abbey (''St. Mariä Himmelfahrt, Marienbaum'' or ''Birgittenkloster Marienbaum''),

: Brigittine double monastery 1460-1802 * Marienborn Abbey (''Kloster Marienborn''),

Burbach Burbach is a name meaning "farmer's brook" (from Old High German ''bur'' "farmer" + ''bach'' "brook"). It can refer to: Places in Germany * Burbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, municipality in Siegen-Wittgenstein district * Burbach, Rhineland-Palati ...

Hürth Hürth is a town in the Rhein-Erft-Kreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Hürth shares borders with the city of Cologne and is about 6 km to the southwest of Cologne city centre, at the northeastern slope of the natural preserve Kott ...

: Cistercian nuns 1233-1802 * Marienborn Priory (''Kloster Marienborn''), Lütgendortmund:

Beguines The Beguines () and the Beghards () were Christian lay religious orders that were active in Western Europe, particularly in the Low Countries, in the 13th–16th centuries. Their members lived in semi-monastic communities but did not take form ...

(dates tbe) *

Marienfeld Abbey Marienfeld Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey in the Marienfeld district of Harsewinkel, in the district of Gütersloh, Germany. It was founded in 1185 by monks from Hardehausen Abbey and dissolved in 1803 after German Mediatisation, becoming st ...

(''Kloster Marienfeld''),

Harsewinkel Harsewinkel () is a town in Gütersloh District in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies on the river Ems, some 15 km north-west of Gütersloh. It is the home and domicile of Europe's leading combine harvester manufacturer C ...

: Cistercian monks 1185-1803; Benedictine monks 2004-today * Marienhof Priory or Abbey (''Kloster Marienhof''),

: Cistercian nuns 1270-1290 (moved to Kentrop) * Marienmünster Abbey (''Abtei Marienmünster''),

Marienmünster Marienmünster is a town in Höxter district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Location Marienmünster is North Rhine-Westphalia's smallest municipality by land area. It lies in the Weserbergland, in the state's easternmost dist ...

: Benedictine monks 1128-1803;

Passionists The Passionists, officially named Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (), abbreviated CP, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men, founded by Paul of the Cross in 1720 with a special emphasis on and de ...

1965-today * Marienthal Priory or Marienthal Carmel, formerly Marienthal Abbey (''Kloster Marienthal''),

Hamminkeln Hamminkeln () is a town in the district of Wesel, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Issel, approximately 10 kilometers north of Wesel and 15 km south of Bocholt. It is twinned with Sedgefield, United Kingdom a ...

: Augustinian Hermits 1258-1806, Carmelites 1986-today *

: ** Marsberg Friary (''Kapuzinerkloster Marsberg''), Niedermarsberg: Capuchin Friars 1745–1812 ** Obermarsberg Abbey (''Kloster Obermarsberg''), Obermarsberg: Benedictine monks, 8th century – 1803 * Merten Priory (''Kloster Merten''), Merten,

Eitorf Eitorf is a municipality in the Rhein-Sieg district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Sieg, approx. 25 km east of Bonn city. History Early History The area encompassing Eitorf was originally inhabited by the S ...

: Augustinian Hermits (female) 1160-1802 * Meschede Abbey (''Stift Meschede''),

: secular canonesses 870-1310; canons 1310-1805 * Metelen Abbey (''Stift'' or ''Kloster Metelen''),

Metelen Metelen is a municipality in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the river Vechte in the district of Steinfurt. Metelen Land station is located on the Münster–Enschede railway and has an hourly train service to Münster in one di ...

: nuns (order unknown) 889-C13; canonesses (secular or regular, but Augustinian for some of the time) 13th century-late 15th century; women's collegiate foundation (''Damenstift'') late 15th century-1803 *

Michaelsberg Abbey Michaelsberg Abbey (german: Abtei Michaelsberg) is a former monastery of the Benedictine Order, belonging to the Subiaco Congregation (1064-2011). The monastery is situated on the ''Michaelsberg'' ("St. Michael's Mount"), about 40 metres above ...

(''Abtei Michaelsberg''),

Siegburg Siegburg (i.e. ''fort on the Sieg river''; Ripuarian: ''Sieburch'') is a city in the district of Rhein-Sieg-Kreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the banks of the rivers Sieg and Agger, 10 kilometres from the former seat of ...

: Benedictine monks 1064-1803, 1914-today * St. Maurice's Abbey, Minden (''Kloster Sankt Mauritius, Minden''),

Minden Minden () is a middle-sized town in the very north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the greatest town between Bielefeld and Hanover. It is the capital of the district (''Kreis'') of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detm ...

: tbe *

Mönchengladbach Mönchengladbach (, li, Jlabbach ) is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located west of the Rhine, halfway between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border. Geography Municipal subdivisions Since 2009, the territory of Mönchengladbac ...

: ** Mönchengladbach Abbey (''Abtei Mönchengladbach'' or ''Rathaus Abtei''): Benedictine monks 1663-1802 ** Neuwerk Priory (''Kloster Neuwerk''), Neuwerk, Mönchengladbach: anchorites 1133-1250; Benedictine nuns 1250-1802; Salvatorian Sisters 1879-1889; Lüdinghauser Franciscan Sisters 1889-1961; Salvatorian Sisters 1961-today ** St. Francis' House, or Franciscan Hospital (''Franziskushaus''): hospital of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement and the Love of Christ (dates tbe) * Mörmter Friary (''Kloster Mörmter''), Mörmter: Franciscan friars, 1922-today * Mülheim Commandery, later Mülheim Priory or Friary (''Deutschordenskommende Mülheim''), Mülheim,

: Teutonic Knights 1266-1809; Olpe Sisters 1885-1994; "Community of the Blessed Declarations", 1995-today *

Münster Münster (; nds, Mönster) is an independent city (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also a state distr ...

: ** Alexian Hospital, Münster (''Alexianer-Krankenhaus Münster''),

: Alexians (date tbe)-today ** St. Ludger's Abbey or Priory, Münster (''Stift St. Ludgeri, Münster''): collegiate foundation 1173-1811 ** St. Martin's Abbey or Priory, Münster (''Stift St. Martini, Münster''): collegiate foundation 1187-1811 ** St. Maurice's Abbey or Priory, Münster (''Stift St. Mauritz, Münster''): collegiate foundation, after 1064-1811

N

: ** Alexian Hospital, Neuss (''Alexianer Krankenhaus Neuss'')

: Alexians 1451-today ** Immaculata Convent (''Kloster Immaculata''), in the former Villa Leuchtenberg: ''Barmherzige Schwestern nach der Regel des hl. Augustinus'' (Merciful Sisters of the Rule of St. Augustine, aka Augustine Sisters of Neuss):a congregation of the Cellite Sisters 1923-today ** St. Joseph's Convent (''Josefskloster, Neuss''): ''Barmherzige Schwestern nach der Regel des hl. Augustinus'' (Merciful Sisters of the Rule of St. Augustine, aka Augustine Sisters of Neuss): 1858-1923 **''Kreitz Abbey, Neuss, see Kreitz'' * ''Neuwerk Priory or Friary, see Mönchengladbach''

O

* ''Obermarsberg Abbey, see Marsberg'' * Odacker Priory (''Kloster Odacker''), Hirschberg,

: early days obscure, but possibly some sort of small religious establishment from c. 1000; cell of Augustinian canonesses probably from 13th century, although not mentioned explicitly until 1508; Benedictine nuns (not later than) 1513-1804 * Oedingen Abbey or Priory (''Damenstift Oedingen''), Oedingen,

Lennestadt Lennestadt (occasionally also ''die Lennestadt'') lies in the Sauerland in southeast North Rhine-Westphalia and is a community in Olpe district. It is the district's most populous municipality. Lennestadt itself is not an actual town but a commun ...

: women's collegiate foundation 1000-1533 * Oelinghausen Abbey (''Kloster Oelinghausen''), Oelinghausen,

: Premonstratensian Canons 1174-1804 * Olpe Priory (''Kloster Olpe''), Olpe: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at Olpe, or Olpe Sisters, after 1863-today

P

* Paderborn Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Paderborn''),

: Franciscan friars 1232-today * Paradiese Priory (''Kloster Paradiese''), Soest: Dominican nuns 1252-1808

Q

* Quernheim Abbey or Priory (''Stift Quernheim''),

Kirchlengern Kirchlengern is a municipality in the district of Herford, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Kirchlengern is situated on the river Else, approx. 10 km north of Herford. Neighbouring places * Hüllhorst * Löhne * Hiddenhausen ...

: Augustinian Canonesses, prob. 1147-1532; secular canonesses 1532-1810

R

* Ramersdorf Commandery (''Kommende Ramersdorf''),

Ramersdorf Ramersdorf-Perlach is a borough of Munich. It is located south-east of the city center and is the most populous of Munich's boroughs with a population of about 116,000. It consists of the five districts Ramersdorf, Balanstraße West, Altperlach, N ...

: Knights Hospitallers (dates tbe) * Reichenstein Abbey (''Kloster Reichenstein''), Kalterherberg in

Monschau Monschau (; french: Montjoie, ; wa, Mondjoye) is a small resort town in the Eifel region of western Germany, located in the Aachen district of North Rhine-Westphalia. Geography The town is located in the hills of the North Eifel, within the ...

: Premonstratensian double monastery 1131/36-date tbe, when canons moved to Steinfeld Abbey; Premonstratensian nuns to 1487; replaced by Premonstratensian canons from Steinfeld 1487-1802; construction work on premises for Benedictine monastery begun in 2008 * Rengering Abbey or Priory (''Kloster Rengering''),

Ostbevern Ostbevern is a municipality in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Ostbevern is situated on the river Bever, approx. 18 km north-east of Münster and 18 km north-west of Warendorf. Neighbouring m ...

: Cistercian nuns 1247-1803 *

Rüthen Rüthen () is a town in the district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Rüthen is situated at the northeastern border of the natural preserve Arnsberger Wald between the Haarstrang and the valley of the river Möhne, approx ...

: ** Capuchin friars (dates tbe) ** Augustinian canonesses (dates tbe) * Rumbeck Abbey (''Kloster Rumbeck''),

: Premonstratensian Canons 1190-1806

S

* Saarn Abbey (''Kloster Saarn''),

Mülheim an der Ruhr Mülheim, officially Mülheim an der Ruhr () and also described as ''"City on the River"'', is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It is located in the Ruhr Area between Duisburg, Essen, Oberhausen and Ratingen. It is home to many compan ...

: Cistercian nuns 1214-(date tbe); now Salesian Oblates * St. Jöris' Abbey (''Kloster St. Jöris''), St. Jöris,

, near Aachen: Cistercian nuns 1274-1802 * Scheda Abbey (''Kloster Scheda''), Wiehagen,

Wickede Wickede (), officially Wickede (Ruhr), is a municipality in the district of Soest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Wickede lists the town of Jemielnica in Poland as its twin city and enjoys the cultural exchange and relationship. Geography ...

: Premonstratensians 1243-1809 * Schwarzenbroich Priory (''Kloster Schwarzenbroich''),

Langerwehe Langerwehe is a municipality in the district of Düren in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 10 km west of Düren. It is a twin town of Exmouth Exmouth is a harbor, port town, civil parishes in En ...

: Canons Regular of the Holy Cross 1340-1802 * Segenstal Abbey (''Kloster Segenstal''),

Vlotho Vlotho () is a town in the district of Herford, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Vlotho is located along the Weser river, south of the Wiehengebirge, bordering on the Ravensberger Hügelland in the west, Lipperland in the south, an ...

: Cistercian nuns, presumably about 1258-1430 * Seligenthal Priory (''Kloster Seligenthal''), Seligenthal,

: Franciscans 1231-1803 * ''Soest, see Paradiese Priory'' *

Steinfeld Abbey Steinfeld Abbey (''Kloster Steinfeld'') is a former Premonstratensian monastery, now a Salvatorian convent, with an important basilica, in Steinfeld in Kall, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. History The origins of the site go back to about 920. ...

(''Kloster Steinfeld''),

Kall KALL (700 AM) is a sports radio station in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area licensed to North Salt Lake, Utah, though in station identifications and the FCC database, the station is listed as being licensed to "North Salt Lake City". The ...

: Premonstratensian Canons 1130-1802; Salvatorians 1923-today * Steinhaus Abbey also known as Beyenburg Abbey (''Kloster Steinhaus'' or ''Kloster Beyenburg''), Beyenburg,

Wuppertal Wuppertal (; "''Wupper Dale''") is, with a population of approximately 355,000, the seventh-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia as well as the 17th-largest city of Germany. It was founded in 1929 by the merger of the cities and to ...

: Canons Regular of the Holy Cross 1298-1804 and 1964-today *

Stiepel Priory Stiepel Priory is a Cistercian monastery in Stiepel in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded in 1988 at the instigation of Franz Hengsbach, first Bishop of the Diocese of the Ruhr. It is a dependent house of Heiligenkreuz Abbe ...

(''Kloster Stiepel''),

Stiepel Stiepel is a southern district of the City of Bochum in the Ruhr area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is on the Ruhr River, which is its border to the neighbouring cities of Hattingen and Witten. Stiepel used to be a municipality in the rura ...

: Cistercian monks 1988-today * Haus Maria im Venn, Venwegen, Stolberg: Christenserines (''Christenserinnen'', a congregation of Cellite Sisters) 1973-today (moved here from the motherhouse in Aachen) * Störmede Priory, also known as Nazareth Priory (''Augustinerinnenkloster Störmede'', ''Kloster Nazareth'' or ''Annenkloster''), Störmede,

: Augustinian canonesses 1483-1804

U

* Überwasser Abbey (''Kloster Überwasser''),

: secular canonesses 1040-1773

V

Varensell Abbey Varensell Abbey (german: Abtei Varensell) is a monastic community of Benedictine nuns, located near Rietberg in the district of Gütersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The monastery was founded in 1902 by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetua ...

(''Abtei Varensell''),

Rietberg Rietberg () is a town in the district of Gütersloh in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 10 km south of Gütersloh and 25 km north-west of Paderborn in the region Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The town is lo ...

Gütersloh Gütersloh () is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in the area of Westphalia and the administrative region of Detmold. Gütersloh is the administrative centre for a district of the same name and has a population of 100,194 peo ...

: Benedictine nuns of the Most Holy Sacrament 1902-1982; Benedictine nuns 1982-today * Varlar Abbey (''Stift Varlar''), Varlar: tbe * Convent of the Cellite Sisters,

Viersen Viersen (; li, Veeëse) is the capital of the district of Viersen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Geography Viersen is situated approximately 8 km north-west of Mönchengladbach, 15 km south-west of Krefeld and 20 km east o ...

: Cellite Sisters (dates tbe; a subsidiary house of the Cellite Sisters of Düsseldorf, later of Stolberg) * Vreden Abbey (''Stift Vreden''),

Vreden Vreden is a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany near the Dutch border. The town is located near the river Berkel. The first mentioning of the town is proven for the year 839. In 1252 Vreden obtained city rights. Demographics Religion * ...

: tbe

W

* Waldenburg Commandery (''Deutschordenskommende Waldenburg''),

: Teutonic Knights 1638-1692 * Wedinghausen Abbey (''Stift Wedinghausen''),

: Premonstratensian Canons 1170-1803 *

Werden Abbey Werden Abbey (german: Kloster Werden) was a Benedictine monastery in Essen-Werden (Germany), situated on the Ruhr. The foundation of the abbey Near Essen Saint Ludger founded a monastery in 799 and became its first abbot. The little church w ...

(''Kloster'' or ''Abtei Werden''),

: Benedictine monks 800-1803 * Werne Friary (''Kapuzinerkloster Werne''),

Werne Werne an der Lippe (; Westphalian: ''Wäen'') is a town in the Federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the Unna district in Germany. It is located on the southern edge of the Münsterland region near the Ruhrgebiet. The population of Werne ...

: Capuchin Friars 1659-1843, 1887-today * Wiedenbrück: ** St. Giles' Abbey or Priory (''Stift St. Aegidius, Wiedenbrück''): collegiate foundation (dates tbe) ** Wiedenbrück Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Wiedenbrück''): Franciscan friars 1644-today * Wipperfürth Friary (''Franziskanerkloster Wipperfürth''),

Wipperfürth 310px, Map of the city 250px, Town hall Wipperfürth () is a municipality in the Oberbergischer Kreis of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, about 40 km north-east of Cologne, and the oldest town in the Bergischen Land. History The eldest d ...

: Franciscan friars 1657-1818 * Wormen Abbey (''Kloster Wormen''), Wormen: tbe * St. Ursula's Abbey, Wuppertal (''Kloster Sankt Ursula, Wuppertal''),

: tbe

X

: ** St. Agnes' Priory, Xanten (''Agnetenkloster Xanten''): Poor Clares 1402-1605; Cistercian and Benedictine nuns 1605-1802 ** Jesuit College, Xanten (''Jesuitenkloster Xanten''): Jesuits 1609-1802 ** Xanten Charterhouse (''Karthaus Xanten''):

Carthusians The Carthusians, also known as the Order of Carthusians ( la, Ordo Cartusiensis), are a Latin enclosed religious order of the Catholic Church. The order was founded by Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns. The order has its ...

1628-1802 **

Xanten Cathedral Xanten Cathedral (german: Xantener Dom), sometimes called St. Victor's Cathedral (german: St.-Viktor-Dom), is a Roman Catholic church situated in Xanten, a historic town in the lower Rhine area, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is considered t ...

chapter (''Xantener Dom'' or ''Stift Xanten''): cathedral chapter (dates tbe)

Z

* Zweifall Carmel, Zweifall, Stolberg: Discalced Carmelites 1954-today * Zyfflich Priory, also known as St. Martin's Priory (''Stift St. Martin, Zyfflich''), Zyfflich, Kranenburg: canons, 1002 x 1021-1436 (moved to Kranenburg)

Notes

References

*Gleba, G. (2006): ''Klöster und Orden im Mittelalter''. Darmstadt *Hengst, K. (ed.) (1992–2003): ''Westfälisches Klosterbuch. Lexikon der vor 1815 errichteten Stifte und Klöster von der Gründung bis zur Aufhebung'', Bd. 1–3. Münster *''Lexikon des Mittelalters'', Bd. 1–9. Munich 2002 *Pieper, R. (2003): ''Historische Klöster in Westfalen-Lippe. Ein Reisehandbuch''. Münster *Schwaiger, G. (2003): ''Mönchtum, Orden, Klöster. Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart. Ein Lexikon''. München *Wemhoff, M. (Hg.) (2007): ''Barocke Blütezeit. Die Kultur der Klöster in Westfalen''. Regensburg (= Dalheimer Kataloge, Bd. 1) *''Monastisches Westfalen. Klöster und Stifte 800–1800'' (Katalog 1982). Münster: Westfälisches Landesmuseum

Sources and external links

Landschaftsverbands Westfalen-Lippe: churches

Landschaftsverbands Westfalen-Lippe: monasteries

Landschaftsverbands Westfalen-Lippe: secularisation

Orden.de

Orden-Online.de

Alexians in Germany

Lüdinghauser Sisters website
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Christian Religious Houses In North Rhine-Westphalia

Mon Mon, MON or Mon. may refer to: Places * Mon State, a subdivision of Myanmar * Mon, India, a town in Nagaland * Mon district, Nagaland * Mon, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India * Mon, Switzerland, a village in the Canton of Grisons * An ...

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Sources and external links