The Sint-Willibrorduskerk

The Sint-Willibrorduskerk, located at Feiko Clockstraat 229, 9665 BM Oude Pekela, Netherlands, is a beautiful Romanesque church dedicated to St. Willibrord, a missionary who played an important role in the conversion of the Frisians and Saxons to Christianity.

The church was built between 1895 and 1896 as a replacement for an older schuurkerk (shed church) from 1783.

• The construction of the church was delayed for a long time because the church community did not want a new building.
• The church council asked architect Nicolaas Molenaar Sr. to copy the Sint-Bonifatiuskerk designed by Pierre Cuypers in Dokkum, but Molenaar came up with his own design.

The neogothic cruciform basilica is one of only two such churches in the Groninger ommelanden (region), along with the Uithuizer Jacobuskerk, and features a tower above the entrance.

1. The tower has similarities to the one designed by Pierre Cuypers for the Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Sappemeer, but with an octagonal spire between the four top gables.

The church was built without financial concessions, thanks in part to the financial support of paper manufacturer Freerk Liefkes Drenth van de Union. Molenaar also designed the adjacent parsonage.

The church was consecrated on June 9, 1895, by Archbishop Henricus van de Wetering.

Between 1985 and 1989, the Willibrorduskerk underwent restoration work to preserve its original charm and integrity. The church and parsonage have been listed as Rijksmonumenten (National Monuments) since 1994.

1. The neogothic inventory of the church includes three altars, a pulpit, statues of saints, and lighting, all designed by the firm Mengelberg from Utrecht and still intact today.

The Sint-Willibrorduskerk is not only a place of worship but also serves as a community center, hosting various events, services, and activities throughout the year.

Address: Feiko Clockstraat 229, 9665 BM Oude Pekela, Netherlands