Stift Tilbeck

Stift Tilbeck is a German social-care organisation based in Havixbeck in the Münsterland region, operating under the umbrella of the Catholic Caritas association. Its roots go back to 11 October 1881, when the teacher Gertrud Teigelkemper donated her inherited farm in the Bauerschaft Tilbeck to a social purpose and founded a "Private Erziehungsanstalt für epileptische Kinder" (private educational institution for epileptic children). Over the following decades the institution grew into a large residential and care complex, and in 1998 it was converted into a GmbH (private limited company). Since 8 July 2026 the Alexianer have been the sole shareholders, and the company was officially renamed Alexianer Stift Tilbeck GmbH. The organisation today maintains a broad range of facilities and services in the Münsterland. These include a specialist hospital for psychiatry and psychotherapy (Klinik am Schlossgarten in Dülmen) with two day clinics, an outpatient clinic and a drug counselling outpatient service; disability support services such as a complementary facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Havixbeck, ten external residential groups in Havixbeck, Senden, Münster, Billerbeck, Gievenbeck, Roxel and Nottuln, an external residential facility with six groups, a family support service, supplementary services such as leisure, senior, day-care and support areas, a counselling centre for people with intellectual disabilities and their relatives, and the Tilbecker Werkstätten (workshops for people with disabilities). It also offers ambulant supported living for people with disabilities. Stift Tilbeck describes itself as a strong partner in elderly and disability care. Its self-presentation emphasises connection (to the church and community), opening up possibilities for people to contribute, and cultivating diversity, including the inclusive living and working together of people with and without disabilities. The organisation runs a recruitment campaign called "JOB VOLL LEBEN!" aimed at school pupils and career changers interested in the profession of Heilerziehungspflege (special-needs care). Historically, the institution was shaped by Catholic sisters, the constraints of its times and repeated renewal and modernisation of its concepts. Its 20th-century history includes a difficult chapter during the Nazi era, when 46 girls and women from the Stift were sterilised and hundreds were reported to the authorities, and 228 people were transferred to state institutions between 1936 and 1941, none of whom returned. After the Second World War the institution struggled with overcrowding and staff shortages, then gradually opened up to society. In the 1970s a new management team was created, the Tilbecker Werkstätten were built up from 1973 and occupied in 1980, and in the 1990s residential groups were established in Billerbeck, Havixbeck and Nottuln and day-structuring measures were developed. The 2010s saw further expansion, including a new workshop building for people with severe multiple disabilities at Ahornallee in Tilbeck and the opening of "Wohnen in Pastors Garten" in Münster-Roxel in 2012.

Stift Tilbeck traces its origins to 11 October 1881, when the teacher Gertrud Teigelkemper donated her inherited farm in the Bauerschaft Tilbeck to a social purpose and founded the "Private Erziehungsanstalt für epileptische Kinder" (private educational institution for epileptic children). In the same year she received the revocable concession to establish and lead a private educational institution for epileptic children in the Bauerschaft Tilbeck, municipality of Havixbeck. In mid-November 1881 Professor Funcke received the concession to establish and lead a private hospital for people suffering from epilepsy, while maintaining the educational institution founded by the donor. In the summer of 1883, with the approval of the provincial administration, construction began according to plans by architect Hilger Hertel the Elder. The stations St. Ludger and St. Elisabeth were occupied two years later, and St. Anna followed in 1886. By 1892 the Franziskus building was completed, and between 80 and 90 people now found a place to live at Stift Tilbeck. In 1891 Gertrud Teigelkemper became seriously ill and, by contract, transferred the Stift Maria-Hilf to the Bishop's See of Münster to secure the institution for all time. Between 1897 and 1899 the chapel was built. During the years 1900 to 1932, under director Kleyboldt, the Stift underwent an enormous expansion in all areas. The number of patients grew steadily, requiring continuous adaptation of both spatial and personnel conditions, and smaller conversion measures kept the Stift modernised. The Nazi seizure of power brought a profound caesura. Social Darwinism, eugenics and racial hygiene shaped social policy with rigid legislation. The "Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring" came into force at the beginning of 1934, requiring institutions to report carriers of allegedly precisely defined hereditary diseases to health authorities. So-called hereditary health courts then decided on the sterilisation of those reported. Although the Catholic Church took the side of those affected and fundamentally rejected sterilisation, 46 girls and women from the Stift were nevertheless sterilised. By the end of August 1941, 462 of the approximately 680 girls and women cared for in Tilbeck had been reported to the relevant authorities. In his sermon of 3 August, the patron of the Stift, Bishop von Galen, called for passive resistance and publicly denounced Nazi euthanasia in the Lambertikirche in Münster. In December 1941 the provincial administration demanded the transfer of 200 women to the Provincial Sanatorium Eickelborn. The director of the Stift initiated the transfer of 150 women. In total, 228 people were transferred to state institutions in 1936, 1937 and 1941. None ever returned; most were very likely deliberately killed. In 1943, after the supposed announcement of a further transport, director Laackmann worked to achieve a transfer to another charitable institution; shortly afterwards he was appointed head of the Stift. After the Second World War, the Tilbeck house management struggled with overcrowding and cramped conditions as well as a shortage of specialist staff. At the end of the two post-war decades, the task was to allow the traditionally protective character of the house to open slowly into society. At the beginning of the 1970s the sponsor drew far-reaching consequences from the situation of the Tilbeck institution. By appointing an administrative director alongside the spiritual director, who together with the senior physician and the superior formed a new management team, a more capable decision-making level was created. An overall concept could be drawn up, to be implemented through the recruitment of qualified personnel, extensive construction measures and restructuring. In October 1973 a workshop director took on the task of building up the Tilbecker Werkstätten, which were occupied in 1980 after completion of the first construction phase with 150 places. In the 1990s residential groups were established in Billerbeck, Havixbeck and Nottuln, and day-structuring measures were developed. Occupational therapy was converted into day support. The third construction phase of the Tilbecker Werkstätten took place. In 1998 the conversion into a GmbH occurred. In 2010 the external location for people with mental illnesses of the Tilbecker Werkstatt moved to the building at Liebigstraße in Nottuln, and the Centre for Vocational Education and Qualification began work at Otto-Hahn-Straße in Nottuln. The building of the Tilbecker Werkstätten at the Stift Tilbeck site was comprehensively renovated. In 2012 the house "Wohnen in Pastors Garten" opened its doors in Münster-Roxel for elderly people in need of care. A new workshop building for people with severe multiple disabilities at Ahornallee in Tilbeck was put into operation. Since 8 July 2026 the Alexianer have been the sole shareholders, and the GmbH was officially renamed as a result.

• Gertrud Teigelkemper donates her inherited farm in the Bauerschaft Tilbeck to a social purpose and founds the "Private Erziehungsanstalt für epileptische Kinder".

• Gertrudis Teigelkemper receives the revocable concession to establish and lead a private educational institution for epileptic children in the Bauerschaft Tilbeck, municipality of Havixbeck.

• Professor Funcke receives the concession to establish and lead a private hospital for people suffering from epilepsy.

• Construction begins according to plans by architect Hilger Hertel the Elder, with approval of the provincial administration.

• The stations St. Ludger and St. Elisabeth are occupied.

• The station St. Anna follows.

• Gertrud Teigelkemper transfers the Stift Maria-Hilf to the Bishop's See of Münster to secure the institution for all time.

• The Franziskus building is completed; between 80 and 90 people now live at Stift Tilbeck.

• Construction of the chapel.

• Under director Kleyboldt, the Stift undergoes enormous expansion in all areas.

• The "Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring" comes into force; 46 girls and women from the Stift are sterilised.

• By the end of August, 462 of the approximately 680 girls and women cared for in Tilbeck have been reported to the authorities.

• The provincial administration demands the transfer of 200 women to the Provincial Sanatorium Eickelborn; the director initiates the transfer of 150 women.

• A total of 228 people are transferred to state institutions; none ever return.

• A workshop director takes on the task of building up the Tilbecker Werkstätten.

• The Tilbecker Werkstätten are occupied after completion of the first construction phase with 150 places.

• Residential groups are established in Billerbeck, Havixbeck and Nottuln; day-structuring measures are developed; the third construction phase of the Tilbecker Werkstätten takes place.

• Conversion into a GmbH (private limited company).

• The external location for people with mental illnesses moves to Liebigstraße in Nottuln; the Centre for Vocational Education and Qualification begins work at Otto-Hahn-Straße in Nottuln.

• "Wohnen in Pastors Garten" opens in Münster-Roxel for elderly people in need of care; a new workshop building for people with severe multiple disabilities at Ahornallee in Tilbeck is put into operation.

• The Alexianer become the sole shareholders; the GmbH is officially renamed.

A Catholic social-care provider and strong partner in elderly and disability care, emphasising connection, inclusion, diversity and enabling people to contribute.

• Klinik am Schlossgarten (specialist hospital for psychiatry and psychotherapy, Dülmen)

• Two day clinics

• Institutsambulanz (outpatient clinic)

• Drogenambulanz (drug counselling outpatient service)

• Complementary facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Havixbeck, Stift Tilbeck

• Ten external residential groups in Havixbeck, Senden, Münster, Billerbeck, Gievenbeck, Roxel and Nottuln

• An external residential facility with six groups

• Familienunterstützender Dienst (family support service)

• Supplementary services such as leisure area, senior area, day-care centre and support area

• Counselling centre for people with intellectual disabilities and their relatives

• Tilbecker Werkstätten (workshops for people with disabilities)

• Ambulant supported living for people with disabilities

1. 1Stift Tilbeck – Alexianer Stift Tilbeck GmbH in Havixbeck – Ein starker Partner in der Alten- und Behindertenhilfe.stift-tilbeck.de
2. 2Geschichte – Stift Tilbeckstift-tilbeck.de
3. 3Stift Tilbeck GmbH – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Stift Tilbeck GmbH – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org