Nederland - Ootmarsum, H.H. Simon en Judaskerk

The H.H. Simon en Judaskerk (H.H. Simon and Jude Church) is a Roman Catholic, dedicated to the Apostles Simon and Jude Thaddaeus. The church is the only example in Westphalian Romanogothic style in The Netherlands. Although already mentioned in 1162, it largely dates from the 13th century.

In 1491-1492 a new late-Gothic choir was added, followed by a second transept east of the old one. Except for one window above the south portal, all windows have been enlarged. The entire church is built of Bentheimer sandstone.

From 1626 until 1809 the church was used by the Protestants. In that year King Lodewijk assigned the church building to Roman Catholics, as the Protestant congregation was much smaller. When it was returned to the Catholics, it was in a bad state. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by a new facade and a small wooden tower in 1842.