St Gerlach

History
The history of this estate dates back to the year 1201. At least that is the assumption , for more than a written record dating from 1772 in the Historia nobilis parthenonis Heinsbergis is not there. In this work provost Keetz Friedrich writes that has taken to establish at the grave of the deceased around 1165 hermit Gerlachus a monastery. In 1202 Gosewijn IV of Valkenburg decided that arond the tomb of this man attracted many pilgrims and Gosewijn wanted a good home for them . Mr. van Valkenburg appealed to the young Norbertine order of his plan to realise . His grandfather had since around 1140 a Premonstratensian monastery founded in Heinsberg . The monastery was originally a double monastery.

Until about 1257 the monastery Houthem was supervised by the provost of Heinsberg . Subsequently, the monastery got its own dean. Already in the first centuries of its existence, the monastery exerted a great attraction on significant sexes . In 1345 Dirk IV , Lord of Valkenburg , dubs the monastery as a convent of noble ladies . It would remain so until his removal in the eighteenth century.

In the turbulent years of the religious wars the monastery was not spared from evil . In 1574 the monastery buildings were destroyed by the troops of Louis of Nassau . In 1581 it is stated that the monastery twice burned . The war underwent a lull in 1661 . When a treaty was concluded between the warring parties on each distribution area . It was determined that the monastery Sint Gerlach would remain . Under Spanish sovereignty Later, a new scheme . In 1786 by the Treaty of Fontainebleau determined that the monastery no longer fell under Spanish , but under Dutch authority . On September 6, 1786 the sisters finally left the monastery. In 1795 annexed the Franssen the Austrian Netherlands and a few years later they lifted all monasteries and goods were sold to third parties .

It was the manager of the Norbetine , notary Schoenmaeckers from Strange, who bought the monastery and church . It could be family owned . The former monastic properties were leased and the provost building was converted into a noble residence. The church was donated to the town Houthem and 1808 would be the new parish church . The castle Sint Gerlach was first inhabited by the Corneli family and later by the noble family De Selys Fanson .

In 1979 entertained the last occupant of the castle , Robert De Selys the Fanson , the castle and outbuildings on the church council of Houthem . Since the building was empty. This had the result that a number of buildings in serious disrepair came to be .

Already in 1979, Camille Oostwegel for the first time his idea , realizing a luxury hotel / restaurant on St. Gerlach estate filed with the Kerkbestuur . In 1986, he again contacted and when formulated broadly the plan at St. Gerlach Conservation Foundation which was founded to preserve the estate in 1988. In 1990 , they reached an agreement in which the principles of the plans are set .

After solving the problems , such as tenancy matter of family Erens , according to church council and diocese , obtaining final grant commitments and finding a destination for the pin Building and garners the comprehensive agreement was signed in 1994 .

From 1995 to September 1997 , the estate has been restored , a luxury hotel with 58 rooms , 2 restaurants , Kneipp spa , conference rooms , swimming pool, park and 39 hotel apartments. The new destination These apartments are in private hands . The parish was one of the counterparts to a new parsonage museum with a treasure trove for St. Gerlach , a new catechism room, sacristy and a new Gerlachuskapel .

Château St. Gerlach has many unknown and famous guests received . In his younger years In particular with the U.S. President GW Bush in 2005 .

The Hotel and Erenstein Castle in Kerkrade is also managed by Camille Oostwegel