Petrus Church
The Petruskerk in Lichtaard dates from the Middle Ages. An inscription on the gallery fence warns the visitors: 'Be perpetrators of the word and not just hearers'. The church is often rented out for all kinds of meetings.
About this building
Halfway between Ferwert and Dokkum, just in the municipality of Ferwerderadiel, the village of Lichtaard lies on an ancient bank. The church gives the impression that it dates from the 17th century, but actually is much older, dating back to the Middle Ages, as show by the small segment-arched closed windows with fairly regular masonry. The whole church consists of the same type of brick, except for the north wall in which there are some fragments of tuff stone. The shape of the tower suggests a building style with a reduced westwork. The east and west façades are made of brick, while the north and south are lined with planks. Two clocks hang from the tower, one from about 1370 and the other from 1404. The bell from 1370 is marked 'Sanctus Petrus', which must have been the patron saint of the church. The other bell bears the inscription "O Rex gloriae Christe veni cum pace" (O Christ king of glory come with peace). The church of Lichtaard is managed by an active Local Commission, which organizes concerts and exhibitions, but also leases the church for (family) meetings and mourning and wedding services.
