Former Catholic Church. Now restaurant the Basilica.
After the Reformation (ca. 1600), although forbidden, a number of families still remain Catholic, including the Liège Ketelaar who came to Appingedam in the early 17th century. In the 18th century, more Catholics come to Appingedam, including some from Germany. A census in 1839 shows that 8.5% are Catholic. This group is trying to build their own church.
Finally, in about 1740 a church is built on the mound. After payment of a sum of money, an agreement was reached with the mayors. However, there was a lot of resistance, involving the judge (Veltman) as well as the mayors and the people. the resistance led to the demolition of the church. Years later, a Catholic church and rectory were built with permission on Dijkstraat Oost.
In 1859 the pastor thinks that new construction should be built again, whereby he himself acts as an architect. However, that goes wrong, because when the new church is ready in 1861, it soon turns out that the church is subsiding and the church has to be demolished in 1887.
Here, in a former brewery on Solwerderstraat, an emergency church is inaugurated. New construction can no longer take place for the time being due to lack of money. With a national campaign money is being collected, to which even former Appingedammers who emigrated to America contribute. In 1900 a new church building was built, designed by architect A.P. van Schaik and built by contractors Dertien and Lutmers. Until 1999 it still functions as a church building.