It shows elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and houses notable Medieval art, such as the Marienaltar by Conrad von Soest and the Berswordtaltar [de].

The church was built on the Hellweg, a main Medieval road connecting the free imperial town Dortmund with others.

[3] The Marienkirche houses notable Medieval art, such as the Berswordtaltar [de] from 1385, named after its patron, and the Marienaltar by Conrad von Soest from 1420, with scenes of the life of Mary.

[1][4][5] The central panel of the Berswordt-Altar dating from 1397 depicts the Swoon of the Virgin, an imagery which gradually disappeared from paintings of the Crucifixion after Molanus and other theologians of the Counter-Reformation condemned its use.

[1] The swallow's nest organ high above the nave, was reconstructed in the same position by Steinmann Orgelbau.