Kerk, Oudestraat 26

English translation

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Description

O.L. VROUWEKERK.

Construction of the principal church was begun in 1479 by Antonis Keldermans on the site of the church which had been established in 1348 and raised to collegiate status in 1472. The construction was continued by his son Rombout according to a contract of 1512. In 1521 the tower reached its present height and in 1543 the ambulatory of the choir was vaulted over. The church was rented to B. de Moucheron in 1597, partially burned out in 1686, suffered damage from bombardment by the English in 1809, who subsequently converted it into a barracks, was converted into a military hospital by the French in 1811-1813, later served as a provincial poorhouse and is now gradually being restored to a better condition. The choir with its ambulatory was presumably demolished shortly after completion and a low three-aisle hall church was built against the transept, of which only the central and southern aisles are preserved. The impressive, severely damaged cruciform basilica, whose ground plan displays two rows of rectangular chapels, which open onto the side-aisle bays, is clad entirely in natural stone on the exterior, but has lost much of its stylistic features through the blocking of windows, the destruction of the vaults and the alteration of the roofing. The high transept windows are surrounded along the arch soffit by a moulded arch moulding, resting on corbels and crowned by a finial.

The tower is only partially constructed, forming two storeys, and has an entrance section which is flanked by two massive spiral stairs. On the sides only a single deep niche pierces the masonry between the richly detailed buttresses. The interior is executed in the mature Brabantine manner. The round columns on octagonal base with freely treated foliage capitals and the triforium, still present in the transept, consists of a balustrade, set within the extended window recesses. Side aisles and chapels were covered with cross-rib vaults, while star vaults were designed for the nave and transept. The lower space of the tower rests on massive piers of a remarkable undulating perimeter. The low hall church with three-sided choir closures, restored in 1950, was presumably built in the second half of the 16th century with demolition material from the choir; here too columns with foliage capitals. The northern aisle, which served as the Scottish Church (1614-1799), has been demolished. On the north side against the transept a low extension of two bays, covered with star vaults on very squat arches, mostly 17th century furnishings; pulpit, baptismal gate, gentlemen's pew and two lecterns. Monument with obelisk for Jan van Miggrode (died in the early 17th century) from 1771, made by the Swiss craftsman Henrich Schweiter. Crown from approximately 1600. Organ with Great Work and Positive Work, built in 1855 by H.D. Lindsen for the R.K. Church at Sassenheim. After a stay in Middelburg, the organ was installed in Veere in 1928.