Sint-Vincentius Church - Velp

The Sint-Vincentius Church in Velp, together with the Emmaus Monastery and Castle Monastery Bronckhorst, forms the religious heart of the village. These three buildings together tell the story of nearly nine centuries of religious history.

The church itself dates from the twelfth century, making it one of the oldest churches in North Brabant. Originally, it was a simple Romanesque hall church built of tuff stone with small round-arched windows. Later additions include the tower from the fourteenth century and a Gothic chancel. Despite these changes, the core of the medieval building has been well preserved.

Velp was once part of the Land of Ravenstein, while nearby Grave belonged to the Land of Cuijk. That difference was significant: in the Land of Cuijk, Catholicism was banned after 1648 during the Reformation, and many churches were looted during the iconoclasm. In the Land of Ravenstein, however, Catholicism remained allowed. As a result, this church was spared and the Catholic community could continue without interruption.

Today, the Sint-Vincentius Church has a new purpose. Under the name Art in the Church Foundation, exhibitions and concerts are regularly organised here.