| Fort Church | |
| Native Name: | Fortkerk |
| Native Name Lang: | nl |
| Pushpin Map: | Curaçao |
| Location: | Willemstad Curaçao |
| Country: | Netherlands |
| Denomination: | Protestant Church |
| Years Built: | 1766-1769[1] |
| Height: | [2] |
The Fort Church (nl|Fortkerk) is a church of the United Protestant Community located in the court of Fort Amsterdam in Willemstad, Curaçao. The church dates from 1796, and is still in use.[3] [1] A museum is located in the basement.[4] The Fort Church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]
In 1635, after the conquest of Curaçao by the Dutch West India Company, construction started of Fort Amsterdam.[5] The next year, a wooden Dutch Reformed church was constructed.[4] In 1766, the present church was built to serve the garrison, and was consecrated im 1769.[1]
In 1804, Curaçao was conquered by Great Britain, and a cannonball is located in the outerwall of the church.[2] The church of the Lutheran community, the other protestant denomination, burnt down during the conquest. It was decided that the Reformed and Lutherans would share the Fort Church.[6] In 1824, the Lutheran Church and Dutch Reformed Church merged into the United Protestant Community of Curaçao.[7]
The octagonal church tower was replaced by a round tower in 1903.[2] The church was restored in 1991.[8] In 1995, it was awarded monument status.[1] In 1997, the historical centre of Willemstad including the Fort Church was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[9]
The Fort Church is the most important church of the community, and offers services in Dutch every Sunday morning.[3] The mahogany pulpit and governor's bench date from 1769 and were designed by Pieter de Mey.[2] [1]
A museum is located in the basement of the Fort Church, and contains an overview of the Protestant history of Curaçao.[4] The museum contains the original clockwork of 1766 which was built by Dirk van der Meer, and is considered a masterpiece.[10]