The Rectory and Guesthouse of Jan Daems
Jan (Johannes) Daems was Canon of the Oirschot Chapter, a body of clergy who governed various religious and financial institutions. Daems was Rector of the Oirschot Latin School. In his will of 1613, he decreed that seven almshouses would be built next to the House Groenberg where he lived.
The two rightmost of these seven houses were intended for the rector (pastor) of the Boterkerkje (then Our Lady's Church) and therefore became Jan Daems's Rectory, although he never lived there himself. The five other small buildings were intended for residents who were poor or infirm; they are called the Guesthouse of Jan Daems.
In 1780-1781, the two rectory houses were combined into the current building through extensive renovations. The then Lord of Oirschot, Sweerts de Landas, partly financed this merger and subsequently became the owner.
Despite …
Jan (Johannes) Daems was Canon of the Oirschot Chapter, a body of clergy who governed various religious and financial institutions. Daems was Rector of the Oirschot Latin School. In his will of 1613, he decreed that seven almshouses would be built next to the House Groenberg where he lived.
The two rightmost of these seven houses were intended for the rector (pastor) of the Boterkerkje (then Our Lady's Church) and therefore became Jan Daems's Rectory, although he never lived there himself. The five other small buildings were intended for residents who were poor or infirm; they are called the Guesthouse of Jan Daems.
In 1780-1781, the two rectory houses were combined into the current building through extensive renovations. The then Lord of Oirschot, Sweerts de Landas, partly financed this merger and subsequently became the owner.
Despite the countless modifications the house has undergone over the centuries, it still retains a high degree of authenticity.
