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The Hoofdstraat (High Street) is dominated by two churches, on either end of the street. Both are named after St. Martin.

The catholic church was built in the 19th century, like most catholic churches in the country. The Dutch republic of the 17th and 18th century had freedom of religion, but certainly not equality of religion. Catholics were free to follow their religion, but were not allowed to build churches, or have mass in a building that resembled a church building. Those rules were lifted in the 1814 constitution. In 1853 the pope appointed five Dutch bishops, for the first time since the reformation. After 1853 many parishes started to build their churches. Hillegom was no exception, and the catholic St Martin’s Church opened in 1871. Between 1923 and 1926 the church was largely rebuilt, to house the growing catholic community in the town. Only the tower is original.

On the other end of the street is a protestant church. It was originally built in the 15th century, as a catholic church, but became Dutch reformed after the reformation. Since then it is known as Martin’s Church (not St Martin’s, as the Dutch reformed church does not recognize saints). Like the catholic church, it was largely rebuilt in 1929, and only the lower part of the tower is original.

Catholic church, Hillegom

Catholic church

Protestant church, Hillegom

Protestant church

Protestant church, Hillegom

Church tower of the protestant church