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What is a "Schuilkerk" or hidden church?
A Schuilkerk is a hidden church or chapel used during times when the public practice of a certain religion was forbidden or restricted. These churches were often located in private homes, back buildings, or basements, and were not recognizable as places of worship from the outside. They are especially known from the Protestant Dutch Republic in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Catholics were not allowed to openly practice their faith. Key features of a Schuilkerk:Unnoticeable exterior, often inside a residential building Interior with an altar, pews, and religious artifacts Used for Mass, baptisms, weddings, and other sacraments Sometimes included secret entrances or escape routes
