As `` Church `` was a word in Dec. an older collage .
The old church of Scherpenisse is an unfinished and mutilated masterpiece. Originally this was a big cruciform in Brabantine Gothic style. In the 15th and 16th centuries it replaced an older church, which is first mentioned in 1203. A choir had been built ca. 1462., probably as part of the old church The new nave and transept were built in the first half of the 16th century. A tall steeple graced the crossing. The construction of the tower is believed to have started in c. 1520. By 1570 it was still not finished, but due to the Eighty Years War work on it had stopped. A late-17th century plate show the church at its most complete, with unfinished tower but with choir and transept. Strangely, the northern side-aisle is missing in the picture.
A bit unusual for The Netherlands, even for a late-Gothic church, is the dominant use of tudor arches.
In 1577 the church was confiscated by the protestants. Early 17th century the tower was slightly heightened in brick, but eventually it was settled for a wooden upper part. In this period, the church fell into decay. The choir and transept were abandoned and demolished in the 18th century. Of the transept only two pieces of wall remain. It is unknown when the heavy buttresses were added to the tower .
Also to mention, this church is not situated in the central of the city as usely but outside of it. A big fire destroyed the village in the past and they rebuild it south of the former place with the church on the border
For the U.S.A. Followers , In this church is hanging a great brass candle lamp (?) given by the forefathers of U.S. the president Franklin D. Roosefelt
The church of Scherpenisse has a very chequered history! Thank you also for taking the trouble to make the collage to show us all elevations of the church. I like the architecture. Is the church currently in use?
Have a great 2013