Pelicean

In 1422 a chapel was built in Chaam. This was later expanded into a church. Two centuries later, at the time of the Reformation, in 1643 to be precise, the church was taken from the Catholics and made available to the Protestants. From that moment on, the predominantly Catholic population had to practice its faith in secret. Worship services were held in the barn of the Pelicaenhoeve for almost 200 years. Although the strict prohibitions were lifted in 1795 at the beginning of the French period, it was not until 1842 that a Roman Catholic church was consecrated on the Dorpsstraat. The barn church fell into disuse, was demolished and people forgot exactly where it had stood.

A few years ago, while ploughing, the remains of the barn church were stumbled upon and an enthusiastic group of people committed themselves to restoring the foundations above ground level to turn the site into a monument.

Wim Blankers