Hervormde Kerk

A unique church in the center of Made. Significantly smaller than the Roman Catholic Church, but slightly more attractive in terms of construction.

This church is beautiful in its simplicity. The enormously well-kept surrounding terrain (graveyard) already suggests that something special is involved here. The building is from the 16th century, but is in exceptionally good condition. The simple interior is also spectacular. This church with its surrounding cemetery is without a doubt the masterpiece of the village of Made.

The 'Great' Protestant church of Made is located on the Patronaatstraat in Made. Together with the Protestant church Made & Drimmelen, they are the only NH Churches in the area. The wars of religion and iconoclasm have not affected 'so much', partly due to the lack of pastors. Most churches in Made have therefore remained RK, see also there for the reviews. The current two Protestant churches originated in the Middle Ages as RC Churches, but were forced to join the reformation by the victory of the 'Oranges'. In 1511 Geertruidenberg's chapter gave permission to build a chapel. It was initially dedicated to Saint Mary, but soon to Saint Adrian. However, the chapel was not a full-fledged parish church, but a daughter church of the Geertruidenberg Geertruidskerk. It was forbidden to baptize. Until the French time. The Eighty Years' War soon began, and the Church was damaged by acts of war. In addition, the practice of the Catholic religion was banned in 1573. However, no official pastors were available yet. Resigned monks observed the services, such as Gillis van Couwenberg who preached in the church of Made from 1580-1589. After that this church fell out of use. In 1593 it was Laurentius Baltheus van den Berg who preached regularly as an illegal preacher until 1607. Then there was Johannes Gosiunus, who was suspended in Hooge and Lage Zwaluwe and possibly preached semi-illegally in Made until 1609. Thus came a request to appoint an official pastor, the official pastor came in 1610. It was Lothus Jansz van Ilpendam. However, this was dismissed in 1616 due to weakness and melancholy. Then came a connected series of regular pastors. However, the reformed congregation remained small, consisting mainly of notables. In 1773 there were only 39 professing members. Attempts were made to restore the church in 1768, as it had fallen into disrepair. However, there was no money. In 1778, work started, whereby the church was reduced in size: The transept was demolished and the west side of the ship was also reduced. Only the choir and two bays survived. A turret was built in the middle of the roof. The interior of the church was also renewed. From the French time. In 1795 there was freedom of religion again. The Catholics demanded their church back. This also happened and the Protestants had to go to churches in an empty school building. In 1805, however, they were able to buy back the church. The Catholics started to worship in their barn church again, but were allowed to use the cemetery and the bell of the - now reformed - church could be sounded. However, the pastor forbade the Catholic whistleblower from entering a Protestant church. Therefore, part of the church was shielded with a bulkhead, and the whistleblower could still enter through a special door without entering the church ... In 1858 the Protestant congregation of Made was separated from that of Drimmelen. In 1905 a restoration was carried out, and excavation work still encountered the remains of a chasuble. The headstones were replaced by flagstones. The war damage incurred in 1944 was repaired in 1952. Restoration work took place in 1981 and the wooden bulkhead at the back of the church also disappeared. Interior. The church has a baptismal gate from 1657, a pulpit from the late 18th century, two 17th-century chandeliers and an organ cat from 1776, made by De la Haye from Antwerp. In 1824 the Van Peteghem organ was purchased from the Catholic church in Zundert. Sources Reformed Made and Drimmelen and ReliWiki.