The Walloon Church in Breda is a 15th-century church building located near the Begijnhof in the city centre. It is a national monument with an eventful history.
The original chapel was founded in 1440 by Johanna van Polanen and later, in the 16th century, donated to the Beguines. The chapel was then known as the Wendelinus Chapel, dedicated to Saint Wendelin, patron saint against the plague.
In 1590, Breda, which was still Catholic at the time, fell into the hands of Prince Maurice, which led to major changes. The chapel was taken from the Beguines and converted into a Walloon Church. After the city was recaptured by the Spanish general Spinola in 1625, the Beguines were temporarily given back the building. However, in 1637, Prince Frederick Henry of Orange-Nassau expelled the Spanish for good, and the building once again fell into Protestant hands.
Protestant rule was officially confirmed in 1648 with the Peace of Münster. Since then, the building has been known as the Walloon Church.
Photo: ©Brabant Partners
Walloon Church
Catharinastraat 83bis
4811 XG
Breda
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