Remonstrantse kerk (Alkmaar)
The Remonstrantse kerk is a church in the Dutch city of Alkmaar .
history
In 1631 the property behind “de Roo Gans” on the “Verdronkenoord” was bought for the construction of a church for the Remonstrants . The background was the separation of Arminianism by the Calvinist influenced Reformed Dutch Church , whose strict doctrine of predestination was rejected by the Arminianism. The mayor at the time refused permission to build a church. The congregation could only meet in a barn, a secret church, which cannot be recognized from the outside as a church . A letter from 1644 speaks of the Remonstrant barn. Their supervisors bought the property on the south side of the “Achtervenisse”. In 1645 a protocol mentions “our meeting place”.
14 years later, permission to build a church appears to have been granted. The barn was converted into a church, whereby the existing pulpit could be included.
In 1902/03 the vault was plastered and painted over. The year 1659 came to light on the pillar behind the organ.
From 1964 to 1966 the church was restored. The paint was removed from the pulpit and the railing and, like the restored organ, painted in its original color. The concrete, sand and floorboards were renewed. In addition, the plaster barrel vault was removed and the neo-Gothic windows were replaced by rectangular windows. In addition, the benches were renewed and hot air heating was installed instead of the two tiled stoves.
The last major renovation of the church took place in 2012.
Furnishing
In 1760, some new items of equipment found space in the church. A copper arch was placed over the pulpit. A copper baptismal font and three new chandeliers were also purchased.
On the pulpit is an hourglass that was donated to the community in 1922.
In the church there is a disc from 1964 with the saying
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This saying was attached to the southern landing in 1659.
A specialty is the sand on the floor of the church. On the one hand, this should have a sound-absorbing effect, look like a decorative floor covering through random traces and keep the plank floor clean and dry.
organ
In 1721, some parishioners made an organ available on loan. Four years later the congregation received an organ as a gift from its members, which was restored in 1760.
In 1792 the church received a new organ from Johan Strümphler. This was overhauled in 1907/08 by the company Vermeulen and fitted with a pneumatic winch .
The last complete renovation took place in 1994 under the supervision of Jan Jongepier .
Web links
- Presentation of the church on the side of the Remonstrant community Alkmaar (Dutch)
Coordinates: 52 ° 37 ′ 47.6 " N , 4 ° 45 ′ 11.8" E