Hunebed D49 (Papeloze Kerk)

Dolmen D49, also known as the Paploze Church, is a passage grave in the Sleenerzand nature reserve between Schoonoord and Noord-Sleen. The dolmen was built during the Funnel Beaker culture.

The name Paploze Kerk is said to refer to the fact that so-called hedge sermons were held here during the Reformation in the second half of the 16th century, when open Protestant practice of faith was prohibited. Papless means: without a Catholic priest (a "pap") present. Menso Alting preached the new doctrine.

According to popular belief, a ghost or even a devil lived in the dolmen, but Alting did not believe in such nonsense. Due to this popular belief, Catholics would not easily come near the dolmen, making it a suitable place for his sermons. You could also see the surroundings well, so a discovery would not happen quickly.

The name Paploze Kerk was only used from the mid-19th century. The dolmen is now located in a forest, which only emerged in the 20th century. At that time it was located in the open Ellertsveld, where uninvited guests could be seen arriving from afar.

The enclosure of the gang tomb consists of 28 stones. Originally the burial chamber was covered by a hill.

Hunebed D49, also known as the Papeloze church, is a passage grave in the Sleenerzand nature reserve between Schoonoord and Noord-Sleen. The hunebed was built during the Funnel Beaker culture.