Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

Plastered hall church, remnant of the former parish church (XV) that burned down in 1612, after which around 1627 only the nave was restored. Inventory: pulpit with wooden surround and two gentlemen's pews in Lod. XV style. Two psalm boards in Lod. XVI FRAME. Series of eight stained glass windows, around 1745, restored by Schouten in 1908 and for the second time in 1963. Originally a single-manual organ, made in 1773 by JHW Bätz and expanded in 1807 by F. Friedrichs, for the Mennonite Church in Haarlem. In 1934 transferred to the Bakenesserkerk. There it was combined with the organ from 1874 by JA Strobel to form a pneumatic organ with two manuals and free pedal. In 1996 the furniture of Bätz, including a significant number of registers of Bätz and Friedrichs, was purchased by the reformed community of Oostvoorne. Restoration and reconstruction in 2000 by AH de Graaf from Leusden. This church is listed as a National Monument of the Netherlands.

Village church

The village church in Rhoon was built around 1430. The choir and tower were built first. The choir was then used as a chapel. The nave was completed around 1500. That was when the church acquired its current size. The interior of the 16th century Dutch Reformed Church with the marble tomb of the two wives of Hans Willem Bentinck and the rococo funeral boards of that family has been restored. The most striking feature is the walls treated with lime mortar, which makes the church seem much lighter.

Dutch Reformed Church (before Reformation: St. Willibrord or Our Lady Church). Originally a 14th century church with a tower (15th c). The Gothic northern aisle was replaced in 1845 by a new aisle. The nave and choir are covered by cross-ribbed vaults, which in the nave and part of the choir start from wall pillars, connected by mural arches. Inventory: pulpit (17th) and clock by Arent vd Put in Deventer, 1600. On the northeast corner stone 1845. Organ with main work and lower positive, made in 1840 by JH Holtgräve, restored in 1983 by the Gebr. Reil.

Extension in 2001, rear extension.

The Dorpskerk in Abbenes is a charming village church dating from 1868. It is listed as a Municipal Monument of the Netherlands.

Reformed church. Cross church in neo-renaissance style, built in 1895 after a design by HJ Nederhorst. Protected because of the organ with two manuals and free pedal and 16 registers, dating from 1897, made by JF Witte (firm J. Bätz & Co.). The instrument, although not entirely preserved, is an example of the 19th century organ building tradition typical for the Netherlands. Entirely made according to the highest standards with the best materials at a classical craftsmanship level. In terms of sound technology characteristic of the period of origin in which the sound production is tailored to the function of the organ, namely a typical example of an instrument for the accompaniment of Calvinist congregational singing.

The Dorpskerk Huizum (12th cent.) is the oldest monument of the city of Leeuwarden, has a very valuable interior and is now used for concerts, exhibitions, lectures etc. The great building with old graveyard, bier house etc, was never visited so often as nowadays. Location: Huizum Dorp 67, a 15 minutes walk from the Central Station through a nice 'green blew' area along the beautiful river Potmarge. The old village of Huizum is now surrounded by the town but is still a lovely oasis in the city. See www.dorpskerkhuizum.nl.

The village church of Aalsmeer (Dorpskerk) is a Protestant place of worship. The building was completed in 1549 and was originally a Catholic church. It became a Protestant church in 1586. It is currently protected as a National Monument of the Netherlands.

In the south of the capital of Friesland is a real village church: the John the Baptist Church of Huizum. The church has been owned by the Alde Fryske Tsjerken Foundation since 2014. The local commission organizes a range of activities. Due to its special appearance and size (180 seats), the church is also a popular location for commemorations (funerals) and for wedding ceremonies.