Sint-Martinuskerk (Church) In Woudrichem, The Netherlands.

The Martinuskerk is a medieval cruciform church in the Dutch fortified town of Woudrichem. The origin of this church is said to date back to the 7th century, when a companion of Saint Willibrord is said to have founded a chapel here. The current church, originally dedicated to Saint Martin, dates from the 15th century. In addition to the main altar, the church had nine side altars. It is a late Gothic cruciform church with a pseudo-basilical nave, the aisles of which were later continued along the tower. The five-sided closed choir is somewhat older and is now separated from the nave by a wall. The nave has wooden barrel vaults.

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Saint Martinus Church in Woudrichem, The Netherlands

Entrance to the Sint-Martinuskerk in Woudrichem, the Netherlands

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Iglesia de San Martinus en Woudrichem, Países Bajos

View of the Sint-Martinuskerk from the Moat in Woudrichem, Netherlands

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St. Martinus-Kirche in Woudrichem, Niederlande

In 1573, a large part of Woudrichem was reduced to ashes by the Geuzen to prevent the Spaniards from taking the city. Only the walls of the former church remained standing. The rebuilding was initially delayed due to a lack of money, but was completed in 1621. The church had meanwhile become a reformed church: the first Protestant pastor took office in 1585. In 1841 the church was restored and rebuilt.

Front View of the Sint-Martinuskerk in Woudrichem, The Netherlands

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荷兰沃德里赫姆的圣马蒂努斯教堂

Tower of Sint-Martinuskerk and Flag of Woudrichem, Netherlands

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كنيسة القديس مارتينوس في وودريتشيم ، هولندا

Sint-Martinuskerk and Canon in Woudrichem, Netherlands

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Église Saint Martinus à Woudrichem, Pays-Bas

In contrast to the simple-looking nave, the 34 meter high tower is richly decorated. Angled buttresses with bandings have been installed on the west side. At the second level, these continue diagonally, which is probably due to a change in the plans, possibly after a stagnation in construction. The slender recesses in the second section are filled with diamond-shaped medallions. The recesses in the third, bell section, have round medallions with sculpted heads. These represent graves, women and soldiers. The arch fields of the arch frieze are filled with shells in the early Renaissance style, so no older than around 1530. In a storm in 1717, the church lost its spire. Since then, the tower has been stubby. It is therefore popularly referred to as De Mosterdpot (Musterdpot). In 1933 the tower was partially restored and topped with a balustrade.

Sint-Martinuskerk seen from the Ramparts (Woudrichem, Netherlands)

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Sint-Martinuskerk in Woudrichem, Nederland

Tower of the Church and Signposts in Woudrichem, Netherlands

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Церковь Святого Мартина в Вудрихеме, Нидерланды

Side View of the Martinuskerk (Woudrichem, Netherlands)

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Chiesa di San Martino a Woudrichem, Paesi Bassi

In the church there is a tombstone from 1613 of Aernt van Eck and his wife Cornelia van Sevender. In 1864 an organ was installed from the Kloosterkerk in The Hague, the richly decorated organ case of which had been donated in 1680 by Stadholder Willem III. This front was restored in the 1970s, revealing gold leaf beneath the white layer of paint. In 1980 the front was fitted with a new organ, built by the company Blank in Herwijnen. The church owns a gentlemen’s pew. During a restoration in 1979, the base of a medieval baptismal font was excavated. A new baptismal font was placed on it. In addition to the worship services of the Reformed Municipality of Woudrichem, the church building is also used for exhibitions of the work of modern artists.