We will now pay a brief visit to the most outstanding monument in Wetsens, the church. In doing so we pass the car park as you see on the photo.  You don't see much of the church yet, the next photo, taken earlier in the year, reveals more.

Architectural structure is not clear on this photo but that will be dealt with when you visit the church.  This is the north side of the church and you may well wonder what that dark green wooden hut is against the church wall.  Is it a tool shed or does it lead to the crypt ?  Let's find out and click on it.

The Church The church was built in the 12th century or even before by monks and the building materials used were tuff and later a kind of roman bricks of a different shape which were used in many monastic buildings in this part of the world. The gothic influences date from the 15th and 16th century.   Also a tower with a saddle-back roof was built.   Around 1640 a few large windows were inserted. The pulpit dates from the 18th century.   In 1841 it was decided that the tower should be demolished as the cost was too high for repairs. Instead a belfry has been built. On the church bell it reads "Hy is trou, dy't jimme ropt !" (He is faithful, who is calling for you !)

In 1842, on a Sunday afternoon during church service, just as the sermon about 'Samson in the Temple' was to begin, the tower collapsed. For regular services the church was used until 1999.   Now there are only special services among which wedding ceremonies and funeral services.   The church is now also used for musical purposes. Clicking on the photograph above shows all of the photograph and more. Below a photograph of the church around 1923 on which you also see the house of the verger.   This (farm)house is no longer there.   The site is now a parking place.

Back to the Info Center

To the church