Klosterkirche, Monastery church in Franziskanerplatz, Vechta, Germany

The Klosterkirche zum heiligen Joseph is a monastery church at Franziskanerplatz in Vechta, built from 1726 and consecrated on 13 June 1731. The interior was redesigned in neo-Gothic style from 1885, and a wall separating the choir was removed during the 1960 renovation. Since 1960 it has housed a Baroque high altar brought from Amelungsborn.

Six Franciscans from Rheine moved into a donated house and garden in Vechta in 1642, founding a convent whose small church became dilapidated. Construction of the present church began in 1726; the foundation stone was laid on 13 May 1727 and the church was consecrated on 13 June 1731. The convent was dissolved by French decree in 1812, and the church became a simultaneous church in 1818/1819.

The church was popular in Vechta for its festively arranged services and as a place for confession, while one of the friars usually preached the Sunday sermon in the parish church. After 1650 the Franciscans opened the Gymnasium Antonianum in the town, where three members of the convent taught. Today the state-owned church serves as the prison church of the JVA Vechta.

The church is state-owned and serves as the institution church of the Vechta prison (JVA Vechta), so it is not a normal parish church open to the public. The former monastery rooms were converted into a penal institution from 1816. Visitors should not expect regular tourist opening times and should ask the prison or local information before planning a visit.

The organ was built in 2015 by Gerald Woehl of Marburg and has 36 registers plus numerous extensions and transmissions, on two manuals and pedal. Its action is mechanical/electrical and its stop action electrical, with couplers including Sub II/II and Super II/P. A swell pedal and crescendo roller serve the second manual.