James the Greater Church

James the Greater Church is a three-aisled cruciform building with an octagonal tower, constructed entirely of red brick in Gothic Revival style. The structure was later enlarged with a new choir section, sacristy, and apse.

The building was erected in 1873 according to designs by architect Pierre Cuypers, replacing a medieval chapel that had previously stood on the site. Its construction resolved long-standing religious disputes between the parishes of Bocholtz and Simpelveld.

This place served as a pilgrimage destination for believers from the surrounding region during specific religious occasions. Today it remains a focal point where visitors can sense the deep religious role it holds in local community life.

The building is easily recognizable from the outside thanks to its distinctive octagonal tower and characteristic red brick construction. Visitors should keep in mind that this is an active place of worship where quiet and respect are expected during services.

Archaeological excavations during the 1950s uncovered the foundations of a medieval chapel buried beneath the current structure. This discovery demonstrated that the site had served as a place of religious importance for many centuries.

Location: Simpelveld

Inception: 1873

Architects: Pierre Cuypers

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Made from material: brick

Address: Pastoor Neujeanstraat 6

GPS coordinates: 50.81822,6.00683

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02