Nederland - Winterswijk, Jacobskerk

The Jacobskerk (St James' Church) is medieval village church of Winterswijk and is located in the center of the village on the Markt. The Gothic-style building has the status of a national monument. The church is dedicated to St James the Greater, the patron saint of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella.

The history of the church dates back to around the year 785 when a small wooden church was built. Around 1225, the first stone church building was built here: a three-aisled nave and a single-aisled choir, remnants of which were found during the last restoration. Mid 15th century a large-scale renovation was started that would last no less than a century. At that time, the sacristy (now the garrison room) was created and the Romanesque nave and tower were retained.

In 1507, the Romanesque tower was demolished and replaced by a tower in late Gothic style. Around 1550, rebuilding came to an end and the church, then called Jacobskerk, had its current shape. Nothing remains of the Romanesque part, although its stones were used to build the Gothic nave of today's church.
During the Reformation, the name of the church changed into Jacobskerk.

Nowadays the Jacobskerk is still used for worship services and is also designated as official wedding location of the municipality of Winterswijk.