Maria

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

GRACE CHAPEL with ATRIUM and WELL 'Runxputte' built in 1930 to a design by Jan Stuyt as part of the pilgrimage complex 'Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Nood'. The layout is entirely symmetrical. The so-called Runxputte of Oesdom, as the place has been called since time immemorial, has been regarded as a sacred site since the Middle Ages. The well has been known since 1713 also as Mariaput. In that year, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the well began to yield water again after a long period of drought. The well thereby became the destination of many pilgrimages. The Mariaput stands centrally in the forecourt with a pilgrims' path around it.

Description

The Grace Chapel is a hall church with a straight blind rear facade (N) crowned by an open bell cote in the same Nivelsteen ashlar as the facades. The rear facade has a text in diamond-patterned tilework: 'Through Mary to Jesus'. The front facade consists of a projecting entrance portico with a large arched opening beneath a gabled roof. The portico leads to the main entrance under a heavy lintel. On either side of the entrance are two stones placed just above floor level with the foundation dates in inscription. The facade gable topped with a Latin cross has a round window with stained glass. Both side facades have four bays separated from each other by stepped buttresses. Each bay has two arched windows with stained glass. The masonry has a rusticated plinth and is constructed in Nivelsteen ashlar with broad joints and light-yellow marl blocks above windows and doorways. The gabled roof is covered with slate in Rhine covering. The front facade faces the forecourt, which forms a square around the round Mariaput built up in ashlar. The forecourt is formed by an ambulatory gallery paved with red tiles. This gallery is constructed on the exterior in red brick, laid in Flemish bond. The gallery is roofed by an ambulatory gabled roof on posts which rest on the masonry on the exterior and continue to ground level on the courtyard side. In the main axis, the gallery has an arched passage under a transverse tie. Above the passage is the text: "If you go to honour me - the wind will change". The gallery is also accessed in the corners. In the gallery hangs a Stations of the Cross in drawings by Jan Toorop from 1917-1918. The chapel floor is laid with square tiles. The chapel choir is open. A masonry round arch spans the space per bay. Two rows of benches are oriented towards the northern Mary altar. The communion rail was made by Nico Witteman. The ex-voto cabinet is by Koldewij. The Mary statue was made in 1908 by Hans Mengelberg and painted in 1923. The side walls consist of marl blocks which are painted below the windows by Han Bijvoet in 1930 and 1941. The scenes on the left wall depict from left to right: the Presentation in the Temple; the Nativity of Christ; the Visitation. The right wall contains from left to right: the Coronation of Mary; the Crucifixion; the Instruction in the Temple. The rear wall (N) shows centrally the heavenly banquet and panels with among others Mary Queen of Peace; Help of the Sick; Our Lady of Distress. Two crowns hang in the chapel space.

In the garden there is an ambulatory pilgrims' path running along both long sides and along the rear, alluding to the old custom of having pilgrims walk on their knees around the chapel.

Valuation

The Grace Chapel with atrium and well 'Runxputte' is of general importance for its cultural and architectural-historical value as a historically functional component of the complex 'Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Nood'.