Goirkese kerk (English)
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Ever since 1715 a so-called ‘schuurkerk’ (lit. ‘barn church’) – a place of worship which was not recognisable as such – had stood at ’t Goirke. Here, Catholics practised their faith in a semi-illegal fashion, because their only church in Tilburg (known as the Heikese kerk) had been seized by the protestants. In 1829, the church administration came up with the idea to found a genuine church building. Probably in 1833 king William I visited Tilburg when parish priest Joannes Zwijsen was received in audience to discuss the matter. William I exercised restraint but the crown prince (the future king William II), who was also present, convinced him to offer a grant of 25,000 guilders. In 1835, the construction of the neo-gothic Saint Dionysius Church, which was designed by Hendrik Essens, could begin. In 1839 the church was opened and solemnly dedicated by Zwijsen in 1843.
The impressive interior, which was initially decorated with items from the barn church, gradually changed into a genuine museum of church art. Many showpieces are kept here, such as the 16th century baptismal font, the impressive pulpit (1850), the confessionals (1860-1869), the organ (1903-1905) and dozens of images of saints and stained-glass windows from different periods. Two windows depict Petrus (Peerke) Donders’ first Mass in this church (1841) and his baptism in the barn church.
Location
Bezig met het laden van de kaart...