Welcome in the Westerkerk
This guide briefly recounts the rich history of this church.
Church services (in Dutch) Sundays 10.30 a.m.
Minister: Rev. Mrs. F.W. Oosterwijk
Organist: Jos van der Kooy
Church open Monday to Friday 11.00 am - 3.00 pm (April - October).
History
The Westerkerk was officially opened on Whitsunday 1631. It is one of the oldest churches especially built for the Protestant services, and the largest as such church in the Netherlands.
The tower, which occupies a unique place in the affections of the people of Amsterdam, bears the symbol of the imperial crown of Maximilian of Austria, which was his gift to the city in gratitude for support given to the Austro-Burgundian princes. It has inspired many songs and poems and remains a symbol of the city for Amsterdammers abroad.
Rembrandt, one of the world's most famous painters, was buried in the church.
Near the church and in view of the tower, Anne Fank wrote her diary in the Annex, her hiding place from the Nazis.
In 1966 Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus were married in the church.
Church
Hendrick de Keyser, the city architect, built the church in Dutch Renaissance style, which is characterized by a combination of brick and stone. The long vertical lines are reminiscent of the Gothic style. The building is in the shape of a rectangle. Two rows of triplet-pillars support a clerestory in the form of a Greek cross. The church is 29 metres wide, 28 metres high, and has 36 windows. The nave is covered by a wooden barrel vault, of the type used extensively in coastal regions of the low countries, where the soft soil did not allow heavy vaulting. From 1985-1990 the church was completely restored. The electric chandeliers were then replaced by 12 replicas of the original chandeliers.
Tower
In the medieval tradition the tower, more than 85 metres high, stands projecting from the centre of the west facade. It was completed in 1638. The base of the tower, up to the first gallery, is of brick, while the sections above this is constructed mainly of wood with a facing of sandstone. The uppermost sections are also of wood, with an outer covering of lead.
Bells
The hour bell is the heaviest in Amsterdam and weighs more than 7.500 kilograms; its hammer 200 kilograms.
The carillon, or set of tuned bells, was cast by François Hemony, who came from Lorraine, and was extensively restored in 1959. It now consists of 50 bells.
Every Tuesday from 12 to 1 o'clock the carillon is played.
Rembrandt
On October 8th, 1669 the painter Rembrandt van Rijn was buried inside the church in a rental grave. Nobody knows where. In 1906 - three hundred years after Rembrandt's birth - a plaque was unveiled at one of the pilars in the north aisle, not far from the place where Rembrandt's son Titus was buried.
Organ
Not untill 1686, when organ accompaniment to singing had become customary, was the Westerkerk organ built by the father and son team of Duyschot. In 1727 is was considerably extended by Vater, and it was further enlarged in the 19th century. Between 1988 and 1991 Flentrop of Zaandam restored the organ as nearly as possible to its original condition of 1686/1727.
Gerard de Lairesse painted the organ shutters; those of the main organ case portraying a dancing David preceding the Ark, and the Queen of Sheba bringing gifts to Solomon; those of the front-positive with lovely depictions of now rare musical instruments. Bach-cantates are performed regularly in the church, and for this a special choir-organ is used.
The church at present
The Westerkerk is one of the local parishes of the Durch Reformed (Presbyterian) Church. On account of the oecumenical character of its services, every Sunday a great many churchgoers from all over Amsterdam and from outside the city worship here.
The church also plays an important part in the cultural life of Amterdam. Its monthly cantatas are well-known, as is the annual Good Friday performance of Bach's St. John Passion by the Westerkerk Choir, Bach Orchestra and solists
There are also frequent organ recitals.
Prayer
Lord our God
throughout the centuries
people have come to this house
looking for you -
songs of praise and songs of sorrow
have sounded here
from the beginning
till this very day -
and now I am here
in your presence
in the middle of this busy city
and I offer up to you
my thoughts and feelings:
awe and thankfulness
fear and sorrow
guilt and joy
and so much more
And I pray to you
that I may trust
you hear my prayer.
Amen
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Westerkerk |