Protestantse Kerk / Nicolaaskerk
Helvoirt, NL
Since the 12th century, Helvoirt has had a religious community of Christians who meet in a chapel (from 1192), dependent on the church of Oisterwijk. This chapel has been renovated several times. Around 1300, the church was elevated to parish church and dedicated to Saint Nicholas. After renovations, a Romanesque church was built around 1375. Around 1510, this church was given its Gothic form after major renovations. In 1617, the church was reconsecrated, but after Staats-Brabant had become part of the Republic of the United Netherlands again through the reconquests (1635) from the Spanish of Prince Frederik Hendrik, the church came into the hands of the Dutch Reformed. Between 1710 and 1792, the tower was used as a town hall and aldermen's law was held there. During the Napoleonic period (in 1809), the church building was assigned to the Roman Catholics, but ultimately remained in the possession of the Protestants. In the years 1967-1969 the tower and the church were restored under the direction of the architectural firm J. de Wilde from Breda. The execution was carried out by the construction company Nico de Bont en Zonen from Nieuwkuijk. On 19 October 1969 the church was officially put back into use with an ecumenical service.