Geulle (L): St. Martinus (J.H.H. van
Groenendael, 1920)
In the church of Geulle
elements from three different periods are combined. A church in the
village is first mentioned in 1298, but of that church nothing remains.
The tower is the oldest surviving part and dates from the 14th century,
when a wooden church was replaced by one built out of marl. In 1626
that church was enlarged with a new nave and choir. Of these only the
choir is left. In 1920 the nave was demolished to make place for a new
bigger church, designed by architect J.H.H. van Groenendael.
Van
Groenendael built the new nave square on the direction of the old
church and incorporated the tower and the old choir, which became a
chapel. The new church was built of Kunrader
stone, a natural stone Van
Groenendael used more often, especially in the province of Limburg. The
design shows influences from Romanesque and Baroque. The result was
much criticised. The old church had
been demolished in a time of increased interest for old village
churches, and the requests by experts in this field to preserve it had
been ignored. Also, the design of the new church was considered too
ecclectic, a tasteless combination of styles that was also far too tall
to be appropriate for such a village.
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