Oud-Vossemeer

History

The village was first mentioned in 1410 as Vosmer, and means "old fresh water stream". Oud (old) has been added to distinguish from Nieuw-Vossemeer. Oud-Vossemeer is a circular church village which developed after the Kerkepolder was poldered in 1411. Up to the 16th century, it formed a heerlijkheid with Nieuw-Vossemeer. In 1576, it was burnt by the Dutch States Army. The tower of the Dutch Reformed church dates from 1450. The church was heavily damaged by the 1576 fire. It was rebuilt in 1595, and the tower was placed inside the church. The church was extensively modified between 1913 and 1915. The Catholic St Willibrordus Church is an aisleless church with wooden tower from 1841. The interior was modified in 1928. In 1944, Oud-Vossemeer and the surrounding country side was inundated by the Germans. Oud-Vossemeer was a separate municipality until 1971, when it was merged with Tholen.