Düsseldorf, October 14, 2013
The town and its parish church are situated in the region of brown coal (also called ligmite in the EU countries) mining. In August this year, it was decided to demolish the church building which stands on the site, rich with coal deposits.
The pseudo-Romanesque basilica with two towers, built between 1888 and 1891, was popularly known as "the Cathedral of Imerat" due to its huge size. The parish of this settlement was first mentioned in 1288. It was decided to sell the church property and all other valuables of St. Laurence's Church. Almost all the parishioners have moved to the new Imerat— now a district of the town of Erkelenz. The human remains from the Catholic cemetery of now deserted Imerat, which resembles "a phantom city", have been reburied.
