Baptist church Sappemeer & Croonhoven
Sappemeer traditionally had a sizeable Anabaptist community. The first Anabaptists came from Friesland as peat cutters. Later, in the 18th century, a group of Mennonite refugees from Switzerland settled in Sappemeer and the surrounding area.
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Location
First, a church was built on Borgercompagniesterdiep. When this became too small, the Mennonite hall church was built on the site of the demolished peat manor Croonhoven. That borg belonged to steward Rembt de Mepsche, who had become wealthy because of the peat excavations. The church is a hall church with a gable turret in sober, neo-classical forms, and has an organ built in 1855 by organ builder G.W. Lohman. An ornamental and kitchen garden and apple orchard were laid out behind the adjacent pastorie.
Organic vineyard Croonhoven has been here since 2005. Jan Wehrmeijer is the vineyard owner, who has had his own organic vineyard here for more than 14 years. There are several grape varieties and over 300 vines. In the meantime, he has gained a lot of experience and every year he has good harvests that can fill many a wine bottle.
Mennonite Church Sappemeer & Croonhoven is part of the inspiring walking route 'In the footsteps of Aletta Jacobs'.