Kerk, Raadhuisplein 2

English translation

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Description

Dutch Reformed Church. First mentioned in 1261 as a daughter church of the church of Gilze, dedicated to Sts. Lambertus and Catharina. Elevated to a parish church in 1316 and replaced by a small three-aisle church, with retention of the old tower. This church was in turn replaced between 1440 and approximately 1500 by a large, three-aisle hall church, again with retention of the old tower. In 1584 the church was destroyed by fire, after which between 1593 and 1606 only the nave (provided with side walls) and the three choirs (the side choirs provided with west gables) were restored. The side aisles remained as a ruin until 1771. In 1732 the old tower collapsed, destroying the nave anew. At the three choirs a new tower was then built in 1771 to the design of Phillip Willem Schonck, which shows a very harmonious fusion of classicist and gothic stylistic features. In 1821 the side choirs were demolished. The present church thus consists of: a 5/10 closed four-bay deep choir (intercolumniations bricked up in 1821); the windows in the closure have moulded nines; in the buttresses natural stone corner blocks, internally the old columns with list capitals are still recognisable; a brick tower with diagonal buttresses. Inventory: oak pulpit (circa 1580), sounding board (circa 1650) with carved panels; baptismal gate (second half 17th century); brass lectern and baptismal font holder (likewise second half 17th century). Organ gallery on two Doric columns (circa 1650). Hardstone gravestones, including those with coats of arms from 1588, 1630 and of Jan Dirven (1664) and his wife. A bell from 1667 removed during the war. The church restored after (light) war damage in 1957.

The square brick tower dating from 1771 with diagonal buttresses and a triangularly projecting stair tower is built up in four storeys, which are separated by drip mouldings. In the uppermost storey there are each time two pointed-arch sound holes; the spire is tapered to an octagon and crowned with an open cupola. In the third storey of the tower is located the eighteenth-century tower clock, which has been put out of use. The four clock faces on the lower part of the octagon are now "operated" by a modern clock mechanism.

The wrought-iron tower clock is mounted on a wooden frame, approximately 75 cm high, approximately 60 cm wide and approximately 2 metres long. The clock contains three large spindles, two of which still have a crank. There is some corrosion visible, otherwise the work appears to be functioning.

On the pendulum(?) is noted 1852... H. Wasgen at Etten, on the top of the clock is mounted a plate with on it: 1950 restored, Etten, C.A. Vergouwen. In the organ case of J. Zeemans from 1699 there is a single-manual organ with some pipework still by Zeemans. The remaining old pipework is by J.C. Smidt from 1815. In 1990 the organ was reconstructed to the state of Schmidt.