Sint Werenfriduskerk, Roman Catholic Cemetery in Workum

Introduction

The ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY associated with the St. Werenfriduskerk (1877-78; architect A. Tepe) in Workum was established in 1883. The cemetery is located behind the church, faces east, and is surrounded by a ditch on the north, west, and south sides. The entrance is on the east side, from where a long, straight path leads to the church. Various grave monuments give the cemetery its distinctive character. Two of them — the CALVARY HILL from around 1883 with PRIESTS’ GRAVES and the CAST-IRON GRAVEMONUMENT for benefactors Bernardus Fluitman and Sytske Ydema (likely made around 1890) — are described separately due to their special qualities. These monuments are located in the two northern sections.

Description

CEMETERY. The rectangular cemetery has a simple layout divided into six sections. Between the two westernmost sections lies a central area with a circular path, where the Calvary Hill with priests’ graves is situated. The other paths run east-west and north-south.

CALVARY HILL with PRIESTS’ GRAVES. The Calvary Hill stands at the center of the circular area between the two northern sections. It features a crucified Christ, flanked by Mary (left) and John the Evangelist (right). The statue of Mary was made by A. van Aerschot in Herenthals (Belgium); there is no mark on the statues of Christ or John. The statues are cast iron; the cross is wooden.

The natural stone priests’ graves are arranged in a fan shape at the foot of the Calvary Hill. The most notable grave is that of pastor F.J. Oorsprong (1917). The NEO-GOTHIC GRAVEMONUMENT without inscription, in the northwestern section, was made for benefactors Bernardus Fluitman and Sytske Ydema. They donated funds for the Adema organ, a house, and land for the new church. The statues on the grave represent Saint Cecilia and Saint Bernard and were cast by A. van Aerschot.

The monument faces east and, due to its height and silhouette, is visible from the entrance. It consists of a square natural stone base with a cast-iron balustrade and a tall rectangular pedestal holding the cast-iron statues beneath an ornate (neo-Gothic) canopy. The canopy has window-like frames with tracery and is topped by a cast-iron crucifix.

Assessment

The cemetery with Calvary Hill, priests’ graves, and neo-Gothic gravemonument, part of the Roman Catholic St. Werenfriduskerk complex, is of general cultural-historical importance:

• as a special expression of spiritual development;
• as a notable example of typological development;
• as an essential part of a nationally significant cultural-historical whole;
• due to the intact original layout combined with special grave monuments;
• for the structural and visual integrity of the urban environment.

Tags: individual objects, cemetery, cemetery and sections,…

Source: Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed – License CC-0 (1.0)