History
1956-1960
On January 26, 1956, the Catholic Youth Movement of the St. Paul Parish was established by means of a notarial deed. The name “St. Paul Guild” was used quite quickly. The parish clergy of the St. Paul Parish in Woensel had a great deal of influence in the establishment of the youth movement, which at that time was only intended for boys. In addition to that association, the parish also had a branch of the Catholic Girls Guild (KMG). The St. Paul Guild used the attic of the then patronage on the Boschdijk as its first accommodation. In 1957 or 1958, the parish built a new building on the Boschdijk. That building was called “The Pavilion”. It had four rooms in which the St. Paul Guild and the KMG each had their own room. The other rooms were used by, among others, a playground association.
1970-1975
In the early seventies, various youth movements approach each other at a national level. From mergers between a number of these youth movements, Scouting Nederland is created. The national organization Jong Nederland and the national organization of the Catholic Girls Guild also merge, creating a new national organization Jong Nederland for boys and girls. In the St.Paulus parish, the first approaches between the St.Paulus Guild and the KMG department take place in 1973 and 1974. In 1975, this results in a merger and from that moment on, the department has groups for boys, groups for girls and mixed groups.
1976-1985
In 1976 the merger is officially sealed and “Het St.Paulusgilde Jong Nederland” is established via the notary. Slowly but surely the boys and girls groups are abandoned and all groups are mixed. Between 1980 and 1985 the St.Paulusgilde JN has its 'peak years' with at its peak approximately 90 members, divided over 6 mixed age groups. The association now rents the entire pavilion of the St.Paulus parish and the building is given a new name by Jong Nederland: “De Kaak”.
1985-1994
From about 1985 onwards, the number of members slowly but surely goes downhill. The district in which the department is active starts to age and slowly but surely the number of members drops to about 60/70. In 1988 an attempt is made to start a branch in the new district of Limbeek, but that attempt fails because no suitable housing can be found in that district. In 1989 the branch is indeed realized, but now in the brand new district "Achtse Barrier". The branch "JN Achtse Barrier" gets its own statutes but falls under the management of the St.Paulusgilde JN. In De Mortel new, well-filled age groups of minors, maxiors and juniors are running. A fire causes a lot of misery in "De Kaak" in 1988. Moreover, the roof is leaking and the building no longer meets modern requirements. To make matters worse, the rent was terminated by the church board on 01-01-90 and the St.Paulusgilde JN would be on the street from that moment on. The St.Paulusgilde JN set up a committee that had to try to realize a new building. A lawyer was hired and through that law firm it was arranged that the St.Paulusgilde JN could continue to use De Kaak on the Boschdijk until 31-12-94. In 1994, the combination of St.Paulusgilde JN, JN Achtse Barrier and the Gehandicapten Vereniging Eindhoven was promised a municipal contribution of approximately ƒ650,000 to realize new accommodation on the Fakkellaan. At the end of 1994, both JN departments moved to the former CNS school De Fakkel on the Fakkellaan. The building De Kaak, the former parish house, the schools on the Boschdijk and the Church were sold (including the land).
1995-1999
In April 1995, the new accommodation, the Dr. Ir. FJ Philipshuis, on the Fakkellaan, was opened. The construction cost approximately ƒ950,000. In addition to the municipal contribution, a lot of money was raised through sponsorship of various funds and through many financial campaigns. Mr. Frits Philips 'lent' his name to the building and he was 90 years old when he officially opened the building. A nice video report of that can be found here . The two JN departments merged and adopted the new name "JN de Fakkel" according to the articles of association. From that moment on, the number of age groups and the number of members grew steadily again. Many members come from the surrounding districts (Achtse Barrier, Jagershoef and Woenselse Heide), but slowly but surely JN de Fakkel attracted members from all over Woensel.
2000-2015
In 2006, our JN department celebrated its 50th anniversary and we celebrated our 10th lustrum extensively with various festive activities. In August 2012, JN de Fakkel broke through the 100 youth members barrier. All of these members are divided into 8 different age groups. In 2011, we celebrated our 55th anniversary. In mid-2010, a start was made on a reorganization of our backyard. This major task is in the 2011/2012 season. From the 2012/2013 season, JN de Fakkel will have new, modern craft cabinets, so that we can continue for years to come!
2016-present
In 2016, we went to summer camp in Lelystad to celebrate our 60th anniversary. Furthermore, a gala and a big summer party were organized to celebrate this festivity. During the corona pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the groups were forced to communicate with each other via online connections; not ideal of course, but we made the best of it. In 2020, JN de Fakkel did not go to summer camp as usual. Instead, all groups did a few days of activities in Eindhoven and the surrounding area, but overnight stays were not possible due to the guidelines of the RIVM. During this pandemic, the number of members decreased by approximately 20%. Fortunately, 'normal' summer camps will take place again in 2021 and 2022, the number of members remains stable at around 80. In 2023, the floor of the craft room was completely renewed, because it was due for replacement due to years of wear and tear.