The church of Hijum, or Hyum, is in many ways similar to many others in the province. It's a one-aisled church, mostly in Romanesque style but with a few changes in Gothic style, with a tower with a saddle-roof, that stands on an artificial hill. However, one feature makes it a bit different from most other churches of this type; it has a built-in tower, a so-called reduced westwork.
The church dates from the 12th century. The original building was built of tuff, but later it was extended to the east, using brick. While at the south-side the windows were enlarged in Gothic style, the north-side still has mostly small Romanesque windows. At this side the wall shows traces of a former passage.