Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

Built as a Reformed Church. As such out of use around 1974, when a new Reformed Church was put into use elsewhere in Schagen.

Before 1600 there were Mennonites in Heerenveen. The first mention of the community was in 1674. The church of the Flemish, orthodox community was in the Kakelsteeg in Heerenveen, this alley is now called Vermaningsteeg. The other community was more liberal and was called the Waterlandse community. This church was on the Munniksteeg, west of the Dracht. Both churches were clandestine churches. In 1741 these communities merged and built a new church building in 1762, which was put into use in 1763. The organ, supplied by the Van Dam company from Leeuwarden, was used for the first time on 5 July 1840. The 'Van Dam' organ was replaced in 1900 by the current organ, which was supplied by the Bakker en Timmenga company. (source: ANWB)

Mennonite church from 1838. The side walls are divided by lesenes, between which there is a semicircular closed window. It also has a framed entrance. This church is listed as a National Monument of the Netherlands.

Frontage of the Mennonite Church. Above the gate passage, next to which two six-pane windows, floor with three such windows. Facade closed off by block moulding. Hidden church in a three-sided closed hall building covered by a barrel vault from 1829. Simple pulpit. Originally a single-manual organ made in 1872 by the Gebr. Adema from Leeuwarden. Modified in 1920 by Bakker and Timmenga.

Mennonite Church. Neoclassical hall church, built in 1842 to plans by PJ Rollema. Front facade with an entrance with round arch windows, four Doric pilasters, a Doric frieze and a triangular gable field. The windows in the side facades have, remarkably enough, the pointed arch shape. The interior has a semicircular closure and shows a wall treatment formed by Corinthian pilasters. These carry a cornice that forms the transition to the flat ceiling. Pulpit in neo-Gothic shapes. Organ with main work and upper work, made in 1847 by JC Scheuer. Scheuer used the wind chest and pipework of the old organ, which was made in 1786 by A. van Gruisen.

Hall church without tower.

Mennonite Church. Hall church under hipped roof from 1841. Front facade finished by cornice with classical frieze. Entrance framed by pediment. Organ by the firm L. van Dam & Zonen from 1916.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Mennonite believers were tolerated by the local government. The government allowed Mennonite communities to build their own church, but these were not allowed to be on the public road. In practice, this usually meant that a house was built for the church. In Joure there is no longer a house in front of the church hall, but the small square in front of the church is a reminder of the situation in the 17th century. The church building on Midstraat dates from 1824.”

The foundation stone for this Mennonite meeting house was laid on 15 June 1850. The official opening took place on New Year's Day 1851. The building was restored between 1994 and 2000. The interior was restored in 2008. The meeting house that was used before 1850 is located on Koningsstraat . It is now a residential building, but the windows on the side clearly show that it used to be a church. (60-08)

The Bolsward clandestine church is located behind the building line of the buildings in the street. Built in 1809 and expanded and embellished from 1848 to 1855. Framed entrance (all mid-19th century). With a roof turret.