Amstelkerk Explained

Amstelkerk
Location:Amstelveld 10, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Geo:52.3622°N 4.8964°W
Religious Affiliation:Protestant Church in the Netherlands
Rite:Calvinist
Architect:Daniël Stalpaert
Hendrik Springer
Architecture Style:Dutch Renaissance
Groundbreaking:1668
Year Completed:1670

The Amstelkerk (English: Amstel Church) is a Reformed church building in central Amsterdam, Netherlands. It lies in the southern part of the Grachtengordel neighborhood, near the Amstel River, between the Prinsengracht, Reguliersgracht and Keizersgracht. The church was designed by Daniël Stalpaert and was originally intended as a wooden emergency church, erected to provide for church services in the fourth Golden Age extension of Amsterdam laid out in 1662,[1] but it was never replaced by a more permanent building.[2] The church was expanded several times starting in 1673[3] with annexes built of stone.[1] The interior originally had a very modest appearance, but was replaced by a neogothic design by Hendrik Springer in 1842.[3] In the early 19th century, plans were drawn up, but never executed, to build the Dutch Mint in the square next to church.[1] The church was bought by Stadsherstel Amsterdam in the late 1980s, which completed renovations in 1990.[2]

The building is no longer in use as a church. Some parts of the building have been converted to office space,[2] and the church is used for classical concerts. The building is open to the public on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00.[4]

Trivia

Johannes Paulus Stricker, the uncle of Vincent van Gogh, was a preacher in the Amstelkerk.[5]

References

  1. Web site: Jaarboek Monumentenzorg 1990. Digital Library for Dutch Literature. nl. 1990. 21 May 2020.
  2. News: Jarige Amstelkerk Amsterdam krijgt facelift. Reformatorisch Dagblad. 21 May 2020. nl.
  3. Web site: Monumenten in Nederland. Noord-Holland. Digital Library for Dutch Literature. nl. 21 May 2020.
  4. Web site: Amstelkerk. I Am Sterdam. 21 May 2020. nl.
  5. Web site: Amstelkerk. Van Gogh Route. 21 May 2020. nl.

External links