Firrel – Village Church and Building History

Firrel’s church and its building history give the village a clear cultural focal point. The rectory is also part of the local architectural history: the church and rectory together form a single building. If you are planning a hotel stay in Firrel, you will find an overview here of these local topics and of other destinations in the wider destination of Leer.

Church and Rectory: Building History in Firrel

The church in Firrel is a hall church built of red facing brickwork. A narrower sanctuary with a straight end adjoins the building. “Narrower” describes its recessed position; the straight end is another feature of its form. The building therefore offers a way to observe both its materials and the layout between the hall and the sanctuary.

The church and rectory were built in 1906/07 during the tenure of P. Johann Heinrich Meints. The design was produced by the ministry, and the construction was supervised by the architect Hedemann from Emden. Both were inaugurated on 26 May 1907. Their history thus combines a single building with precisely dated construction and inauguration dates.

The history of religious buildings in Firrel also includes a chapel that was demolished in 1936 and replaced by a larger one. This adds another chapter in the history of local architecture to the story of the church.

A Local Focal Point for Families

There is a playground for small children in Firrel beside the community centre near the village square. Individual play equipment may change. If the facilities are important for your plans, it is advisable to check the current situation before visiting.

More Cultural and Natural Attractions in the Wider Destination of Leer

Other historic buildings are among the highlights of the wider destination of Leer. The Amsterdam-style gabled house Haus Samson has adorned Leer’s old town since 1643. Evenburg Castle in Leer is a cultural monument of regional importance; its three components are the castle, the park and the outer bailey. Since May 2014, a permanent exhibition there has explored the life and work of an aristocratic family in the 19th century. The castle also serves as a centre for garden culture. The Former Jewish School in Leer is a memorial and meeting place run by the District of Leer.

The museums in Leer also cover a range of different subjects. The Bünting Tea Museum, spread over two floors, explores the cultivation, production and preparation of tea, as well as the history of East Frisia’s favourite drink. The Leer Local History Museum is dedicated to East Frisian domestic culture and local shipping. At the Leer Telecommunications Museum, visitors can experience 150 years of communications history through rare exhibits and working equipment. The range therefore extends from tea and everyday culture to the history of communications.

Public guided tours in Leer include stops at the old town hall, the historic weigh house and Haus Samson; the tour lasts 1.5 hours. A different perspective is offered by the guided cycle tour “Cycling Around the City,” which shares fascinating facts about Leer and explains why the city looks the way it does today. The tour does not always follow well-known, officially designated cycle routes. Visitors can also take a harbour tour of Leer Harbour aboard the canal boat “Koralle.”

The Westerhammrich recreation area and the island of Borkum are also among the nature and landscape attractions in the wider destination of Leer. Westerhammrich, northwest of Leer, covers approximately 1 km²; at its centre is a lake of about 15 hectares. Footpaths and cycle paths, places to stop and observation points are part of the visitor facilities there. Borkum, an island belonging to the District of Leer, has been a seaside resort since 1850. Its landscape features dunes, diverse wildlife and plant life, and miles of sandy beaches.

Discover more destinations: Ostrhauderfehn, Weener, Jemgum, Holtland, Nortmoor, Detern, Uplengen, Westoverledingen

Back to the overview of destinations: Leer.