The municipality of Midden-Drenthe is going to buy the church and the associated rectory house in Hooghalen. That proposal was dealt a blow tonight. The municipality is allocating more than five hundred thousand euros for both buildings.
The church and rectory house on the Laaghalerstraat are centrally located in the village. “Such a location is unique and can play an important role in the future development of the village,” says Reinhard Mulder of Dorpsbelangen Hooghalen. “We are therefore very pleased that the deputation of the church and the municipality of Midden-Drenthe have reached agreement on the purchase by the municipality.”
The arrival of a possible multifunctional accommodation (MFA) in the village is being considered. The site of the church would lend itself well to it because it is next to the village hall. “This location is so unique and strategic. There are therefore no alternatives with these positive qualities,” the municipality writes in the proposal.
Hooghalen would like an MFA in which various facilities are combined in order to create space for housing. However, it is not yet certain that the municipality will also use the location for the realization of an MFA. With the purchase, she mainly wants to keep the options open and occupy a strategic place.
For the past six months, the church has been used to receive Ukrainian refugees. According to the municipality, this reception will be continued ‘as long as necessary’. The demolition of the church is therefore not yet discussed.
The Reformed Church in Hooghalen was forced to close its doors in February. The number of visitors decreased, said churchgoer Johan Janssen in an interview with RTV Drenthe. “It is the aging population. The average age here is above 75. The administrators have led this church with verve, but also because of their age it will stop at some point.” It is the last church in the village.
RTV Drenthe visited the church earlier this year: