St. Willibrordus church in the centre of Deurne

Gothic cross-shaped church
Gothic cross-shaped chutch with a western tower dating from approx.1200 and a chancel and transept from approx. 1460-70. There used to be a Roman church in this spot. In 1648, the Protestants acquired the church building  The saint´s statues had by that time already been brought to safety elsewhere. After a fire in the tower in 1737, a lower spire was built. In 1801, the church was handed back to the Catholics again. 
Vault In 1881-82, extensive alterations took place to the church, renovating it to accord to a design by architect P.J.H. Cuypers. During the restoration of 1961-64, below the nave, walls of the old church, traces of murals and a bricked up access to the vault was discovered. The graveyard wall and burial site also have the status of listed buildings.
Church treasures and vaulting A visit to the church and the changing exhibition is definitely worthwhile. Guided by a beautiful brochure, you can look at typical objects and attributes. At a small fee, at 2.30 and 3.30 p.m., tours of the tower room and vaults, decorated with photos, provided a church warden will let you have a view of the craftily constructed vaults as well as a unique view of Deurne. The visit to the vaults is also a great experience for children. 
Tour by an enthusiastic guide Whose bones were found in the vault? How did they manage to have the oldest part of the church attic be held together without nails? What is written on the back of the triptych by Wiegersma? What does the vaulting look like when seen from above? To this and other special questions the Tourist Information Office guides provide the answer. They take you on an interesting tour of the St. Willibrorduskerk, a listed building with foundations dating back to the 11th century! Deurne Tourist Information Office organizes 90-minute long tours for small or large groups, led by an expert guide. These excursions are organized daily by appointment via the Deurne Tourist Information Office, tel. 0493-323655.