Even before daybreak, Protestant families from Roetgen set out—come rain or shine—on a nearly 19-kilometer walk. Their destination: the Reformed Church in Stolberg.

What is hard to imagine today was part of everyday life back then. For a long time, there was no Protestant church in Roetgen, as it was located in the Catholic-dominated territory of the Electorate of Cologne. Protestant churches were not strictly forbidden there, but could only be built under strict conditions.

As a result, for many years the only option for Reformed families from Roetgen was to make the trip to Stolberg. A Protestant congregation had existed there since 1617. The Alte Kirchweg thus became an integral part of their lives. Some families walked it not only on major holidays but regularly—often every Sunday.

It was not until 1782 that the congregation in Roetgen was able to build its own simple church. Initially without a tower, but of great significance to the local people. The Alte Kirchweg thus symbolizes perseverance, solidarity, and a vibrant sense of community—long before Roetgen had its own place of worship.

This route was developed as part of the LEADER-funded project “Quality Initiative for Hiking in Roetgen and Stolberg” with support from the European Union (EAFRD) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.