Noordzijde van de Sint-Maartenkerk te Wemeldinge 1898

This photograph captures the north side of the Sint-Maarten church in Wemeldinge, its creation attributed to an anonymous member of Monumentenzorg. The image invites us to consider the role of cultural heritage and preservation in shaping collective identity. Monumentenzorg, responsible for documenting and preserving historical sites, plays a crucial role in maintaining a link to the past. But it also raises questions of who decides what is worth preserving, and whose stories are told through these monuments. The scaffolding surrounding the church is more than just a practical structure; it becomes a symbol of time, labor, and the ongoing negotiation between history and the present. How do we balance the need to preserve historical sites with the evolving needs and values of contemporary society? What does it mean to protect the architecture of religious institutions in an increasingly secular world? Ultimately, this photograph makes visible the layered processes through which we connect with, and interpret, our shared cultural heritage.