Kerk, Valgeweg 12

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

HALL CHURCH, as evidenced by the cornerstone built in 1840 according to a Neo-Classical design by architect P.M. Kruizinga for the Dutch Reformed congregations of Sauwerd and Wetsinge. The small hall church was built to replace the two Medieval churches of Wetsinge and Sauwerd which had fallen into disrepair and were subsequently demolished. The new church was built on the terp of Klein Wetsinge, a central location with respect to both church congregations. The bell dated 1609 which is placed in the wooden roof turret originates from the old church of Sauwerd.

The fence which stands in front of the church building was presumably placed around 1900; it consists of two square plastered pillars with between them two movable iron-wrought fences.

Description

HALL CHURCH built of red brick and covered by a gabled hipped roof of glazed black Dutch tiles. Facades have low ashlar course of sintered red brick; on corners and in facades pilasters of brick; facades are terminated by a profiled brick gutter. Windows are arched windows with wooden glazing bars, terminated by a roll moulding.

Front facade, east facade is divided by two pilasters into three facade fields; entrance is located in the middle facade field; double panel door with above it a semicircular fanlight with wooden glazing bars; wooden surround topped by a cornice. Above entrance a natural stone cornerstone with inscription: 'It shall be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16. Established in 1840 Union Wetsinge Sauwerd' followed by the names of the church council members, the minister and P.M. Kruizinga, architect. Above cornerstone a small arched window. Middle facade field is terminated by an ornamented cornice with above it a wooden roof turret; turret has square wooden substructure with as parapet a wooden fence; on substructure an octagonal worked intermediate section of wood is placed, where the bell is located; intermediate section is covered by an octagonal spire with an inward-curved roof crowned by two metal spheres. On either side of entrance, in outer facade fields an arched window. South and north facades each have six facade fields; in outer facade fields a blind arched window, in remaining facade fields an arched window. Rear facade, west facade, has two blind arched windows.

INTERIOR has undergone some alterations: the pews have disappeared and the spaces on either side of the portal are non-original. Hall is covered by a wooden barrel vault reinforced by iron tie rods; in the middle of vault two cast-iron ventilation grilles. On western wall an original wooden pulpit, presumably from the old church of Wetsinge; with on the south side a wooden staircase; pulpit itself is three-sided with on the four corners a pilaster and between them a panel, terminated by a cornice; above the middle panel a wooden shelf, on which the bible rests; above pulpit a hexagonal wooden sounding board. On east side a gallery for the organ supported by two cast-iron columns.

Valuation

Hall church of general architectural and cultural-historical significance:

-as an example of a simple hall church that was shared by the two church congregations Sauwerd and Wetsinge from the second quarter of the nineteenth century in the province of Groningen

-because of the austere design in Neo-Classical style

-because of the high degree of integrity of exterior and parts of the interior

-because of the image-determining location in the village of Klein Wetsinge