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Architects: Carl E.M.H. Weber (1820-1908)

Although Weber was born and raised in Cologne, it is almost certain that he did not learn his skill at the completion of the cathedral in that city. Where he did, remains unknown. What is known, is that in secondary school Weber was a classmate of Vincenz Statz, who later became one of the leading neo-Gothic architects of the German speaking part of Europe. As the archbishop of Cologne's advisor on church architecture Statz gained a position in which he could either make or break an architect's career, although he often was commisioned himself. Not a healthy climate for an ambitious architect to work in, and this could well have been be the reason for Weber to find his luck somewhere else, although until 1858 he stayed a resident of Cologne, at least officially.
Webers career in Germany is a mystery. The only known building he may possibly have been responsible for is a chapel for a monastery in his hometown, which was designed by a Weber, and which happened to be at just a few meters from Carl's house.
His career in the Netherlands started with the designing of several churches in the province of Limburg. In 1857 he married his second wife (his first wife died in 1850), and moved to her hometown Roermond permanently.
Confusingly, he changed his first name a few times since. Until c. 1860 he called himself both Karl and Carl. Once integrated into Roermonds French-oriented society he started calling himself Charles. Later he used the Dutch equivalent Karel until his death. All these names have been used in the scarce literature that has been published about him.
Weber was one of the major church-architects in the south of The Netherlands; he built at least 33 churches, many of which in the 's-Hertogenbosch diocese, although he was also quite active in Limburg early in his career.
In Roermond Weber became fascinated by the Munsterkerk, a large church in the late Romanesque style of the Rhineland. It became his biggest wish to restore this church, and he began an extensive study of the church. But it's another ambitious architect from Roermond who was commissioned for this prestigious project. Weber sharply criticized P.J.H. Cuypers' plans for the restoration, which in many ways were historically incorrect and lacked respect for the original building, after they had been made public in 1863. Although the restoration started in 1870, it was this sort of reaction that prompted Cuypers to trade Roermond for Amsterdam. After the conflict Weber himself mostly concentrated on building churches in Noord-Brabant, and ultimately developed a style that derived much from the Munsterkerk, ironically including the changes made by Cuypers. It's worth noting that in a book from 1953 on the subject of catholic church-architecture, which is extremely positive about Cuypers, Weber does not even get mentioned. The rivalry apparently lasted until well after both architects had died.
Weber's career can be divided in two periods: in the first period (until the late 1870's) his designs were inspired mainly by late Rhineland Gothicism. In this period his work can be regarded as a bridge between early decorative and later, more historically correct, neo-Gothicism. Churches are often of the Stufenhalle-type, a type of hall-church typical for Westphalia, with three aisles under one roof and the side-aisles being narrower than the central aisle. He continues to use early neo-Gothic ornamenture and plaster vaults especially in his interiors for a long period. In the second period influences from Romanesque architecture dominate, making Weber one of the first architects in the Netherlands to break the neo-Gothic monopoly. Weber's most monumental works are from this second period, and are often notable for the presence of a tall dome at the crossing.
Besides designing new churches, Weber was also responsible for the restoration of many older examples.
The last years of his life he suffered from a disease to the eyes, which made it impossible for him to work.
The following is a list of Weber's work, for as far as known.

 

1850 Panningen (L): church O.L. Vrouw van de Zeven Smarten

Probably by Weber. The enlargement of an existing church results in a neo-Gothic building of the Stufenhalle type. Demolished.

 

1852-1856 Amstenrade (L): church O.L.V. Onbevlekt Ontvangen

 

 

 

Weber's first church is a neo-Gothic church with two towers and fake plaster vaults. The church follows the model of the Stufenhalle.

 

1853-1858 Montfort (L): church H. Catharina

Weber's second church is finished in a much more simplified version than the architect intended. Responsible for this is building contractor Kemps, who offers to build the church for a ridiculously low price. The church again is of the Stufenhalle type. The tower consist of two parts on a square base, with an octagonal part on top. Demolished in 1963.

 

1856-1858 Maastricht (L): administration-building Calvariënberg

No further details.

 
1857-1859 Steyl (L): church H. Rochus

Weber takes over after a first design by P.J.H. Cuypers is disapproved. Small hall-church. Tower built in 1874. Demolished in 1930.

 
1858-1860 Valkenswaard (NB): church St. Nicolaas

Three-aisled neo-Gothic church with tower in decorative neo-Gothic style. Demolished and replaced by a J. Stuyt design in 1932, in which Weber's tower was incorporated, albeit altered beyond recognition.

 
1860-1863 Winssen (G): church St. Antonius van Padua

Cruciform basilica in a largely Neo-Romanesque style, incorporating a Romanesque tower. Church demolished in 1941.

 

1860-1862 Vijlen (L): church St. Martinus

 

 

 

Neo-Gothic church of the Stufenhalle type. Plastered wooden vaults and western tower with diagonally positioned buttresses reaching almost to the top. Construction of the tower postponed until 1872 because of financial problems. Building completed ca. 1879. Highest located church in the Netherlands.

 

1861 Roermond (L): St. Jozefkapel

No further details.

 

1861-1863 Loo (NB): church St. Petrus' Banden

 

 

 

 

Three-aisled neo-Gothic hall-church of the Stufenhalle-type with narrower and lower choir with lateral apses. Tower by C. Franssen added in 1896.

 

1862 St. Geertruidenberg (NB): church St. Gertrudis

Three-aisled cruciform basilican church, inspired by classic French Gothic. Choir with side-chapels and three triangular radiating chapels with gables. Narrow tower with octagonal upper segment. 1862 is year of consecration. Demolished ca. 1965.

 

1862-1863 Lutterade (L): church H. Augustinus

Church of the Stufenhalle type, similar to the one in Vijlen but more sober. Tower is crowned with a short spire, which is replaced by a taller one in 1907. Church demolished in 1937.

 

1862-1863 Op-Geleen (L): church H.H. Marcellinus en Petrus

 

 

 

 

Neo-Gothic church in classic French style. The design incorporates an older tower. In 1957 the building was extended with a transept and a baptistry by an architect Palmen.

 

1863-1864 Maastricht-Limmel (L): church H. Johannes de Doper

 

 

 

SOriginally a simple hall-church. At first an old tower is incorporated, which in 1867 is replaced by a new one. In 1913 the church is enlarged by an unknown architect, who adds a transept, a choir and side-aisles.

 

1863-1865 Franeker (Fr): church St. Franciscus

Three-aisled neo-Gothic cruciform basilican church in classic French style, with high clerestorey and plastered wooden vaults. Square tower with octagonal upper segment with pinacles at the corners and crowned with a spire. Demolished in 1960.

 

1863-1866 Roermond (L): Redemptorist monastery

 

 

Monastery in neo-Gothic style.

 

1864-1865 Roermond (L): episcopal college

No further details.

 

1864-1867 Maastricht-Amby (L): church H. Walburgis

 

 

 A first design for a large cruciform church without tower was not accepted. Instead a more modest neo-Gothic church with tower was built. In 1927 Jos. Cuypers added a transept and a choir to the church. In 1956 two side-aisles were added.


1864 Raamsdonksveer (NB): church St. Maria Hemelvaart

Three-aisled cruciform neo-Gothic church. Choir with lateral chapels. In 1892-1893 extended by Jos. Cuypers. Destroyed in 1945 and not rebuilt.


ca. 1864 Mheer (L):  tomb

 

 



Neo-Gothic chapel-like tomb, built of marl.

 

1865-1868 Heesch (NB): church St. Petrus Banden

Weber's first church with stone vaults. Tower built in 1873. Destroyed by fire in the 1960's.

 

1865-1869 Geysteren (L): church H. Willibrordus

Small hall-church with medieval tower which is restored by Weber in 1885. Destroyed or demolished?


1868 Heesch (NB): mortuary

 

 

 

 

Small building in neo-Gothic style at a cemetary.

 

1868-1870 Puiflijk (G): church St. Johannes de Doper

 

 

 

 

Pseudo-basilical hall-church with pseudo-transepts in neo-Gothic style and a tower with an octagonal upper segment. Replaced a medieval church.

 

1870-1872 Nuenen (NB): church St. Clemens

 

 

 

Cruciform basilican church with three-sided choir and transept-arms. Plastered wooden vaults. Tower with an octagonal upper segment. Combination of neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles. Some alterations in 1879. The church was entirely built by parishioners, in many cases unpaid.

 

1871-1873 Veldhoven-Zeelst (NB): church St. Willibrordus

 

 

 

Three-aisled neo-Gothic cruciform basilica. Spire added in 1906 by J. Stuyt.

 

1873-1878 Nieuwkuyk (NB): church St. Johannes de Doper

Three-aisled cruciform church. Destroyed in 1944.

 

1874 Sittard (L): town hall

No further details.

 

1876-1877 Blitterswijk (L): restoration medieval church

Changes include the heightening of the side-walls and the enlargement of the roof until it covered the side-aisles.


1879 Lage Zwaluwe (NB): church St. Willibrordus

Three-aisled cruciform church with polygonally closed transept-arms. Destroyed in World War Two.

 

1880 Roermond (L): building St. Vincentiusvereniging

No further details.

 

1880 Moergestel (NB): restoration church St. Jan de Doper

Church and tower restored by Weber in 1880, but largely replaced by a H.W. Valk-design in 1930-1931.

 

1880-1886 Best (NB): church St. Odulphus

 

 

 

This cruciform church replaced a chapel from 1437 on the location were St. Odulphus supposedly was born in 775. The richly decorated church's tower is inspired by the Campine Gothic style. The original spire was lost in 1944 and replaced by a new one in 1959. The church itself is more modestly decorated. Inside, on a pillar in one of the chapels, a portrait of Weber can be found.

 

1881 Maasniel (L): enlargement church H. Laurentius

Weber provided the plans for this church free of charge. Church incorporates a tower from 1775. The old nave is turned into 10 pillars. The side-walls are heightened to turn the old nave into a high central aisle with 10 windows. Vaults are made of wood and reed. Two new side-aisles are added. Choir and transept are also new. This church is severely damaged in World War Two and not repaired.


1881-1884 Katwijk (NB): church St. Mathias











Three-aisled cruciform church in neo-Gothic style. Polygonal transept-arms.

 

1881-1884 Vught (NB): church St. Petrus

 

 

Three-aisled cruciform basilica in neo-Romanogothic style, with an octagonal crossing-tower. Cloverleaf-shaped eastern part. Choir and transept-arms have apses with ambulatories, the transepts are flanked by stair-turrets. This church marks the transition between Weber's early neo-Gothic period, and his later neo-Romanogothic period. The crossing-tower was intended to be build in brick but was constructed out of wood and lead instead. The construction of this church was hindered by many problems. The biggest disaster happened on December the 5th, 1882, when the northern transept collapsed, killing ten workers.

 

1884-1887 Cologne, Germany: three manor-houses

Probably by Weber. No further details.

 

1886 Zevenbergschehoek (NB): church St. Bartholomeus

Cruciform basilican church with tall octagonal tower with polygonal dome. Details in Gothic style. Square towers on both sides of the facade. Choir and transepts with three-sided apses. The church was actually too large for this small village, but being located close to the border with Zuid-Holland, near the railroad crossing the border between catholic Brabant and protestant Holland, it had great symbolic value by showing the protestants 'in their face' that despite centuries of oppression, the catholics were still there. Badly damaged in WW2, and replaced by a new church later.

(the picture was taken from an old postcard)

 

1887 Cromvoirt (NB): church St. Lambertus

 

 

 

Three-aisled cruciform basilica in neo-Gothic style. Transept lightly extends the width of the nave. The tower , which is narrower than the nave, was added in 1891 and was built at some distance from the nave, with which it is connected by a narrow trave. After being damaged in the World War Two it was rebuilt to a lower height in 1949.

 

1888-1889 Raamsdonk (NB): church St. Bavo

 

 

Cruciform basilican church in neo-Romanogothic style with cloverleaf-shaped eastern part, with apses with ambulatories at the choir and the transept-arms. Although the western towers were never finished, this church is often referred to as Weber's finest work.

 

1889-1891 Geldrop (NB): church H. Brigida

 

 

 

Large three-aisled cruciform basilican church in neo-Romanogothic style with a cloverleaf-shaped eastern part with an octagonal dome on the crossing. The two towers at the front were not added until 1895 and ironically were inspired by those Weber's rival P.J.H. Cuypers had designed for the Munsterkerk in Roermond. In the interior brick in several different colours were used.

 

1890 Uden (NB): church St. Petrus' Stoel te Antiochië

 

 

 

Three-aisled cruciform basilican church in neo-Romanogothic style with an octagonal crossing-tower with dome and octagonal western towers. Apses at the choir and transept-arms; only the apse of the choir has an ambulatory. Interior mostly executed in red brick.

 

1890-1892 Lierop (NB): church Heilige Naam Jezus

 

 

 

Weber's last dome-church is also the smallest. Here the architect paid more attention than usual to the decorative detailing of the actual building, and less to the dome. Originally the eastern towers were much taller and had an octagonal upper segment. After having been damaged in World War Two these were not restored, but rebuilt differently and to a lower height.

 

1890-1891 Afferden (G): church St. Victor en Gezellen

 

 

 

 

Basilical cruciform church in mostly neo-Gothic style, with some details in Webers neo-Romanogothic style. Polygonal transept-arms. Tower is unfinished.

 

1890 Loon op Zand (NB): changes church St. Jans' Onthoofding

 

 

 

Transforming a pseudo-basilica into a basilica; three new windows on each side of the roof are added to allow more sunlight in.

 

1891 Overasselt (G): church St. Antonius Abt

 

 

 

Three-aisled cruciform basilica in neo-Romanogothic style. Square tower at the western trave of the northern side-aisle, with octagonal upper segment.

 

1893-1895 Roermond (L): spire for cathedral H. Christoffel

Weber's last design. Octagonal spire on a square base, with small towers on each corner. Destroyed during a storm in 1921.

 
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