St. Michael's Church, Waldniel, Gothic church in Waldniel, Germany

St. Michael's Church is a three-aisled brick basilica in late Neo-Gothic style, built from 1878 to 1883 to plans by Cologne diocesan architect Heinrich Wiethase. Its 84-metre west tower, banded with dark and light stone, rises through four storeys to an octagon and a steep dark spire. The transept forms a light hall over two bays.

A parish in Waldniel is documented from 1255; its first church was replaced in the 14th century by a three-aisled late Gothic brick building on the opposite side of the market square. That old church, also dedicated to St. Michael, fell into decay after the present church opened and was demolished in 1896. The new church's foundation stone was laid on 29 September 1878 to plans by Cologne diocesan architect Heinrich Wiethase, and it was consecrated on 1 May 1883.

Locals call the church "Schwalmtaldom" (Schwalm Valley Cathedral) because of its 84-metre tower. Inside, look for the Lower Rhine Vesper image of around 1500, combining Anna selbdritt and Pietà, and the neo-Gothic high altar of 1892 from Friedrich Kramer's Kempen workshop, whose side panels by Peter Heinrich Windhausen show the Christmas night and the Adoration of the Magi.

The church is located in the center of Waldniel and can be reached easily on foot. Keep in mind that this is an active place of worship where visits should respect service times and community use.

The tower rises 84 metres, its four storeys on a square base turning into an octagon, with projecting gargoyles. Inside hangs a ring of bells cast by the Otto foundry in 1883 and 1959/60. A small organ built in 1884 in Culcheth, England, has stood in the choir since 2001.