Jesuitenmission Arnsberg

The Jesuit Mission in Arnsberg was founded in 1651. Its primary purpose was popular evangelization in the then Duchy of Westphalia. From the outset, the Jesuits were responsible for the care of Arnsberg Castle Chapel and were active in pastoral care, extending beyond Arnsberg to places like Protestant Iserlohn. Their sphere of influence initially covered the former County of Arnsberg and was expanded from 1682 to large parts of the Duchy of Westphalia, with the territory divided into two mission areas. The Jesuits were also scientifically active, as evidenced by a map of the Duchy of Westphalia drawn by Joseph Zittart in 1707. The missionary work led to conflicts with parish priests and other orders, particularly with Wedinghausen Abbey, which held the parish rights in Arnsberg. The Jesuits succeeded in taking over the court chaplaincy at Arnsberg Castle. After initial accommodation in the castle, the Archbishop of Cologne acquired properties in Arnsberg's upper town from 1654, where the fathers moved into the "Wreden Haus." Through donations and penalty payments, incomes improved, allowing for the construction of their own mission house and a chapel by 1690. Around 1730, the mission house was rebuilt and enlarged, and a new chapel was constructed and consecrated in 1733. During the Seven Years' War, both buildings burned down in 1762 but were rebuilt by 1769 (mission house) and 1770 (chapel) respectively. With the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773, the Jesuit Mission in Arnsberg also ceased to exist.

The former monastery is situated in the Hochsauerlandkreis in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, at an elevation of approx. 223 m above sea level.

After the dissolution of the Jesuit Mission, the building was used for various purposes, including as a land registry office. Today, it houses the Department for EU Funding of the Arnsberg District Government.

• Palais Landsberger Hof (Residence, approx. 222 m away)
• Arnsberg Castle Ruin (Castle, approx. 300 m away)
• Rüdenburg Castle Ruin (Castle, approx. 716 m away)
• Wedinghausen Abbey (Sacred building, approx. 728 m away)