The Wittekind source
Southwest of the church tower is located on the church grounds, the Wittekindsquelle, presumed place of a mediaeval Saxon spring sanctuary and legendary place of the source miracle, which attributes the tradition to the medieval Saxon Duke Widukind. According to legend, Widukind rode across the ridge of the Wiehengebirge and expected a sign from God, whether he should change his faith, surrender to the militarily superior Charlemagne and thus end the Saxon wars. Then his horse had suddenly shuffled a rock and spring water had shot out. As a result of this sign Widukind has decided to convert to Christianity and the subjugation of Charlemagne. In the early 1970s, the source dried up for reasons that are not completely clear. By the working group for home care a water pump was installed, which now lets water bubble again. [8] [9] The amalgamation of a source legend playing on a mountain pass with the decision, interpreted as a Christian religious conversion experience, to submit to the militarily superior Charlemagne indicates that there was previously a Saxon spring sanctuary on the site of today's Bergkirchen church. At the church and at the below Wittekindsquelle information signs point to the legend and the presumed former spring sanctuary.
