Antonius Martin Paap
Antonius Martin Paap | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 November 1832 |
| Died | 2 November 1940 (aged 107) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Era | |
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Title | Great Paap |
| Term | 27 August 1877 – 2 November 1940 |
| Predecessor | Melchior Paap |
| Successor | Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap |
| Spouse | Amalie Schroeter |
| Children | Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap |
| Father | Melchior Paap |
| Family | Paap family |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Prussia |
| Branch | Prussian Army |
| Service years | 1856–1859 |
| Rank | Unteroffizier |
Antonius Martin Paap (12 November 1832 – 2 November 1940) was a Dutch architect, former Prussian infantryman and member of the Paap family who served as the second Great Paap from 1877 until his death. He lived for most of his adult life in Kleve and worked in architecture after completing his studies in Düsseldorf. In 1887, he built the Martinoskerk in the Hoge Veluwe, on land that later became part of Vriendendam.
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]Antonius was born on 12 November 1832 as the eldest son of Melchior Paap, the first Great Paap. He was 1.97 m tall as an adult.
Around 1851, Antonius moved to Kleve in the Kingdom of Prussia. He studied architecture in Düsseldorf while continuing to live near the Dutch-Prussian border. During his studies, he met Amalie Schroeter in 1853. Amalie was receiving private instruction in architectural drawing and design within the same academic environment.
Antonius completed his architectural studies before marrying Amalie on 12 December 1855.
Military service
[edit | edit source]In 1856, Antonius entered the Prussian Army as a foreign volunteer while retaining his Dutch nationality. He served in the infantry for three years. His service took place during peacetime and he did not see combat.
Antonius rose to the rank of Unteroffizier before leaving active service in 1859. He returned to Kleve and resumed architectural work.
Architecture and Great Paap
[edit | edit source]Antonius remained based in Kleve after his military service. He worked as an architect while continuing to participate in Paap family affairs in the Netherlands.
Following Melchior's death on 27 August 1877, Antonius immediately succeeded him as Great Paap under the family's primogeniture succession. He inherited responsibility for preserving the Book of Paap. Antonius respected the book and maintained it carefully, although he did not expect the prophecy recorded by Martinos Nikolopoulos to occur literally.
In 1887, Antonius built the Martinoskerk in the Hoge Veluwe. The church stood on Paap family land that later became part of Vriendendam. It was named after Martinos Nikolopoulos and later became commonly known as the Paapkerk.
Antonius continued to hold the Great Paap title while living in Kleve and remained responsible for the Book of Paap until his death.
Personal life and death
[edit | edit source]Antonius and Amalie lived in Kleve. Their son, Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap, was born there on 8 November 1877.
Antonius remained in Kleve for the rest of his life. He died there on 2 November 1940 at the age of 107, ten days before his 108th birthday. Martinus succeeded him as Great Paap on the same day.