Spijk, West Betuwe (G):
reformed church
The church is a remarkably compact pseudo-basilica built
entirely of bricks. Its oldest part is the Romanesque tower, which was built in
ca.1250. Earlier that century an aisleless church with a semi-circular apse had
been built, traces of which were found during a restoration in the 1960's. In
the early 14th century a new choir in a very simple Gothic style was built, probably
around the old one. Around 1500 the nave was replaced by the current one which
subsequently was extended with side-aisles. In the same period the tower was
heightended with the current upper segment. Both sides of the tower were flanked
by lower extensions of the side-aisles, of which only the one on the north side
remains. Probably early in the 17th century the gables were added to the side-aisles,
replacing the original sloping roofs, allowing for larger windows. The church became protestant in 1614 and has remained so since. 
Spijk is the westernmost village in the
province of Gelderland and belonged to (Zuid-)Holland until 1986. The village
emerged as a linnear settlement in the early middle Ages and has remained so
until well into the 20th century. It has had a church since the 13th century.
Back to Churches in the province of Gelderland