Saint Michael Church

In 1876, the archdiocese ordered the construction of a new church.
Two of the four church wardens were against, but this did not matter to the decision making. On March 21, 1878 construction started for the neo-Gothic cross basilica.
Initially, the church was to be built without a tower. But due to the construction of the railway in 1868, many Schalkwijk farmers had brought in extra money, so that the church could be built with a tower of the Utrecht type. That is to say: inspired by the Dom Tower of the city of Utrecht. The Church was completed on June 10, 1879.
The church may be an impressive building in the village, but the build quality was less impressive. In 1899, the entire building was rejoined, due to intense moisture. Many defects were also repaired in the years that followed. Eventually the church appeared to subside and the pillars threatened to fall. Some were already thinking of demolishing the building. The builders probably had not taken into account the weak Schalkwijk soil.
A major restoration followed in 1931-1932. The entire church was emptied and a new foundation was placed around the pillars.
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