Station: [6] The mason

“The strongest contingent of craftsmen on this construction site is that of the masons. They look back on a proud professional history: in ancient times, they were already among the most respected craftsmen, during the early Middle Ages their craft was practised mostly by monks who would build churches and monasteries. It is from the ranks of the masons that the most skilled are elevated to the position of building master. Landlords trust them with the overall direction of a construction project.

Master Johan Frencken is one of the first masons to arrive on the building site in Horst according to records for the period from 1559 to 1567. As is common for his profession, he doesn’t only work on the building site, but also directly in the quarry. That is where masons have a good look at the sandstone, before processing it further in Horst. The material is mainly sourced from the area around Mühlheim (called ‘Ruhr sandstone’) or from the Münsterland region (‘Baumbergian sandstone’). The masons use hammers and chisels to shape stairs, window sills and cornices. And in some instances the proud craftsmen leave their very own mark: the mason’s mark.”