Amt. Rodenberg, Landkreis Schaumburg

The village name Beckedorf has also been seen as Bekedorpe in the year 1288. Beke or Bach means brook or creek. The ending "dorpe" or "dorf" meaning village. Together means village at the brook. (Information courtesy of Kurt Riebe)

This Beckedorf parish includes information about families from the villages of Algesdorf, Altenhagen, Antendorf, Apelern, Auhagen, Bergkirchen, Brattmuhle, Cathringhagen, Egesdorf, Eichhofe, Grove, Habichhorst, Habrihausen, Haste, Hegesdorf, Helsinghausen, Heuerssen, Hohnhorst, Holtensen, Horsten, Hulsede, Hulshagen, Kirchhorsten, Kobbensen, Kreuzriehe, Lehrte, Bad Nenndorf, Lauenau, Lauenhagen, Lindhorst, Ludersfeld, Lyhren, Mathe, Muehlenhausen, Niedernholz, Nienbrugge, Nordbruch, Nordsehl, Ottensen, Petzen, Probsthagen, Raden, Rehburg, Rehrwiehe, Reinsdorf, Reinsen, Ricklingen, Riehe, Riepen, Sachsenhagen, Schmalenbruch, Schoettlingen, Schoholtensen, Soldorf, Vornhagen, Waltringhausen, Wichtringhausen, Wiedensahl, Wolpinghausen.

HISTORY OF GODEHARDI CHURCH OF BECKEDORF
Already in 1320 a cemetery can be proven existing in Beckedorf. It is concluded, that at that time also the chapel, which received an annex in the year of 1394, already existed. Beckedorf was then an affiliated parish of Lindhorst, in the years of the early 14th century an affilliated parish of Hohnhorst.

Above the chapel in the (...?) half of the 15th century a tower was built, which is still standing today and is the most beautiful part of the church. Noteworthy is the crossed vault, striking are the sound holes below the tower's roof, which partly have mullions and show roman and gothic archs. The completion may have taken place before 1448, as from this year is the bronze bell still existing.

It pays to describe it; it is an first-class work of art. On the margin of its mantle shines the invocation- rex gloriae, veni cum pace- (King of Glory, come with Peace).

Made from coin and medal impressions of a diameter of 1.6 cm on the bells mantle a cross has been punched indicating the consecration spot. Then follows (?) the delicately (?) performed 7 cm (?) large image of a bishop in official robe raising his hand for consecration. This drawing is said to show Saint Nikolaus. Important for the history of culture is the last symbol on the bell. The image of an angrily looking man wearing a strong beard can be seen. This is Saint Antonius. Peculiarly, the bell-founder has put a mitre on his head. Antonius was said to be the patron, who protected from epidemics and disease. That his image was put on the bell's mantle, certainly was due to an epidemic raging in the year 149 (?) in this region. People still lived in fear of its effects.

In the years between 1470 and 1473 the chapel was expanded again, but it wasn't until 1740 that the church appeared in its current form. A large bulge next to the tower is rumored to be a part of the foundation laid in 1470. It is said that a stone with the date MCCCCLXXIII (1473) was set into the wall over the eastern entrance of the church, but such an inscription is no longer visible today. One noteworthy feature is a sundial from the Baroque period, which may be found on the south side of the church.

The nave of the church was used originally as a form of transept, in other words, the altar stood on the south side. Galleries were built into the right-hand sides of the west, north, and east walls. In 1772, the first organ was placed in the east gallery and served the church until 1887. The organ which was then installed was rebuilt in 1934, but was no longer usable by 1968.

From then until 1978, the people made do with a used instrument, because not much money was available. In 1978, gifts from the congregation and grants from the regional national church organization enabled the purchase of an organ with two manuals (keyboards), pedals, and 14 to 17 stops from the firm Hammer Atnum.

The altarpiece, a ?? ??, is a wood carving which depicts the burial of Jesus. Of particular interest is another wood carving in the half oval on the north wall. It shows Christ breaking bread with the some disciples at Emmaus. The bearded, shoeless savior, wearing a rich golden cape (or coat) sits majestically behind a low table with two disciples on each side. The cap-like head coverings covered with gold are very impressive. The ground is depicted with rectangular bricks, as was usual in the 15th century.

On the southside of the nave is located a similar artwork in a square form. It depicts the worship of Kings. The Virgin Mary, enthroned in a dark recess, in the splendor of a gold-embroidered cape, shows the kings gracious the child,, that the little arm outstretched. Next to the mother of God sinks an old king in his lavish flowing robe in adoration. The king next to him held the gift for the child, a goblet. The third king stands further back because of his youth.

It is assumed, that this carving is part of a late gothic altar. Which might be the alter that was replaced in 1794 by the pulpit altar. Other pictures in the church, created in later years by the lay painter Everding, show the crucifixion, the four apostles, Louis Harms and Friedrich von Bodelschwingh.

The last two pictures are an indication of the congregations connection with Hermmansburg and the mission work extending from there as well as to Bethel. Pastor Faust led his congregation to Hermannsberg in 1850; one of his successors, Pastor Korff, established the co-operation with Bethel around the turn of the century. Still today the establishment of co-operation with Hermannsburg is celebrated in the congregation every year.

The massive font has stood in the altar room for 60 years. It is a gift from the Deckbergen church congregation, who had gotten them selves a new font in 1594. Presumably, the font had stood in the church garden since then.

In 1984/84 the parrish barn dating back to about 1700, which stood in the immediate vicinity of the church, was removed for the purpose of community work.

The congregation consists of the old villages Beckedorf and Ottensen, today suburbs of Lindhorst and Riepen, today suburb of Bad Nenndorf. (From a brochure translated and contributed by Richard Strait.)

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