Etten revives historic St. Martinus Church as community hub with Village Deal funding
Residents of Etten can now enjoy a revitalized community space in the former St. Martinus Church, thanks to volunteer efforts and a Village Deal. This project preserves local heritage while providing a new hub for social and cultural activities, directly enhancing daily life in the village.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Etten, municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, Gelderland |
| Project | Revitalization of St. Martinus Church (national monument) |
| Funding Source | Village Deal Etten (20th in Gelderland) |
| Year Deal Signed | 2024 |
| Year Church Reopened | 2026 |
| Previous Closure | 2022 (community center and church) |
| Key Features | Multifunctional space for associations, hospitality, and activities |
| Sustainability Highlight | Reuse of materials (e.g., old church pews for new stairs) |
| Involved Parties | Volunteers, municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, Livability Alliance |
| Deputy Involved | Dirk Vreugdenhil |
The Province of Gelderland, through initiatives like the Neighbourhood and Village Deal scheme, supports local communities in improving livability and preserving cultural heritage. This project exemplifies how provincial funding and collaboration with municipalities and volunteers can revitalize public spaces for community use.
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external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Old St. Martinus Church comes back to life through village deal
In Etten, the reopening of the village heart in the former St. Martinus Church was celebrated with great fanfare. Thanks to volunteers and the Village Deal, the church building has been given a second life. The historic heritage has been preserved and is now a vibrant meeting place for associations and all residents of Etten.
Since the closure of the community center and the church in 2022, the village had been quiet. A large group of enthusiastic volunteers worked hard from that time to preserve the (national) monument church building. Thanks to the Village Deal Etten, the new multifunctional meeting place in the village can now truly get underway. This village deal was signed in 2024 and is the 20th deal in the province of Gelderland. The new village heart will soon offer space for associations, hospitality and other activities.
Reuse of materials
During the renovation, many materials from the old church were reused. For example, the steps of the new stairs were made from the old church pews. This fits the monumental character of the building and is also a sustainable and affordable choice.
Beautiful to see
In 2024, I was present at the official signing of the village deal. At the time, I stated that livability is under pressure when associations and facilities disappear. It is wonderful to see that the tireless efforts of many volunteers, the involvement of the municipality of Oude IJsselstreek and other organizations, and the financial contribution from our Neighbourhood and Village Deal scheme will ensure a lively Etten. And it is also great that this church, a beautiful piece of Gelderland heritage, is now available again for the community.
Deputy Dirk Vreugdenhil
Want to make your village or neighbourhood more pleasant and sociable?
Do you have good ideas to improve the livability of your village or neighbourhood? Then the Neighbourhood and Village Deal scheme could be a first step to make this possible. Together with the Livability Alliance, we would be happy to help you bring your idea to fruition.