The Church of Broekhuizen

The Church of Broekhuizen

In the 18th century the church was used by processions of pilgrims on their way to Kevelaer, a place of pilgrimages just across the border which Germany. In 1862 pilgrims from Ommel burned so many candles that both the pews and pulpit caught fire. Repairs did not start until 1885.

During the Second World War the Germans blew up the church to prevent the British troops from using it as an observation post. After the war it was rebuilt again and has been in use now since 11 February 1952.

The Church of Broekhuizenvorst

The Church of Broekhuizenvorst

Like the church in Broekhuizen, the Germans also destroyed this building in November 1944. During the repairwork after the war remains were found of a wooden church measuring 6 x 12 metres. The church in its present form, however, dates back to approximately 1460. When the tower (47 metres) was built is not known, but it must have been as old as the three original church bells: the Maria bell, the Salvator Mundi, and the Anna bells. All of these 15th century bells survived the Second World War.

The oldest object inside the building is the early-13th century hard-stone baptismal font. In the walls of the tower and the rest of the building stone crosses are to be found. They are the visible signs of the pagan past: the so-called 'witch-crosses' were supposed to protect the church from all possible evils and disasters.

The wall surrounding the churchyard has small defensive openings (15cm x 15cm): church and churchyard offered safety and protection for the villagers when hostile soldiers or gangs of robbers 'visited' the place.