Sint Martinuskerk

Soon after his birth, the family moves to Italy. There, against his parents' wishes, he joins the Christians. When Martin is 15 years old, he is forced by the emperor to join the army. The story goes that one cold winter night he meets a half-naked beggar outside the gates of Amiens. When there is peace in the country, he chooses a simple monastic life in the monastery of Marmoutiers on the Loire founded by himself.

In 372 he was elected bishop of Tours against his will by the people. He did not consider himself worthy enough to become bishop, so he hid in a goose or swan pen. But when they went looking for him, the geese went wild so they found him and consecrated him bishop. This story is the reason why pictures sometimes show geese or swans at his feet. Even as a bishop, he stays among the people as much as possible.

His special gifts enable him to help many people, and after his death on Nov. 8, 397, he is buried in the basilica of Tours on Nov. 11, 397. A century later he was canonized, as one of the first non-martyrs.

Meanwhile, he became the great patron saint of France.
Martinus was also a popular saint in the Netherlands; many churches such as the Dom in Utrecht and the Martinikerk in Groningen are dedicated to him. He is also the patron saint of the city and province of Utrecht.

There are several stained glass windows in St. Martin's Church. There are 10 in the church itself, 2 behind the presbytery and 1 in the Mary Chapel.