Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (Alkmaar)
Encyclopedia
Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (English: Great, or St. Lawrence church) is a landmark Protestant
church in Alkmaar
, the Netherlands. The building is located on the Koorstraat, named for its choir. It is mostly closed in the winter and open for tourists in the summer months or by appointment.
(d. 1296), a brass of 1546, and some paintings (1507).
The mechanical clock has 27 bells by Melchior de Haze (1600s), and 8 modern bells. The tower bell was made by Jan Moer in 1525, with a diameter or 130 cm.
The church was built by Anthonius Keldermans (ca 1440-1512), from a church building family from Mechelen
. The two organs are famous. The smaller one, called the "Koororgel", is from 1511, and is built against the North wall of the church. The larger one was built by Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer, finished in 1645, of which the doors of the cabinet were designed by Jacob van Campen
and were painted by Caesar van Everdingen
. It was restored in 1723 by Frans Caspar Schnitger. Anna Visscher
is buried in this church.
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in the Netherlands. With 2,000 congregations and a membership of some 1.8 million , it is the second largest church in the Netherlands after the Roman Catholic Church.It was founded 1 May 2004 as a merger of...
church in Alkmaar
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.-History:...
, the Netherlands. The building is located on the Koorstraat, named for its choir. It is mostly closed in the winter and open for tourists in the summer months or by appointment.
History
The Groote Kerk (1470–1498), dedicated to St Lawrence, is a handsome building and contains the tomb of Floris V, Count of HollandFloris V, Count of Holland
Count Floris V of Holland and Zeeland , "der Keerlen God" , is one of the most important figures of the first, native dynasty of Holland . His life was documented in detail in the Rijmkroniek by Melis Stoke, his chronicler...
(d. 1296), a brass of 1546, and some paintings (1507).
The mechanical clock has 27 bells by Melchior de Haze (1600s), and 8 modern bells. The tower bell was made by Jan Moer in 1525, with a diameter or 130 cm.
The church was built by Anthonius Keldermans (ca 1440-1512), from a church building family from Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
. The two organs are famous. The smaller one, called the "Koororgel", is from 1511, and is built against the North wall of the church. The larger one was built by Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer, finished in 1645, of which the doors of the cabinet were designed by Jacob van Campen
Jacob van Campen
Jacob van Campen , was a Dutch artist and architect of the Golden Age.-Life:He was born into a wealthy family at Haarlem, and spent his youth in his home town. Being of noble birth and with time on his hands, he took up painting mainly as a pastime...
and were painted by Caesar van Everdingen
Caesar van Everdingen
Cesar Pietersz, or Cesar Boetius van Everdingen , older brother of Allart van Everdingen and Jan van Everdingen, was a Dutch Golden Age portrait and history painter.-Biography:...
. It was restored in 1723 by Frans Caspar Schnitger. Anna Visscher
Anna Visscher
Anna Roemers Visscher was a Dutch artist, poet, and translator.Anna Roemers Visscher, well-known for her literary work, was the eldest daughter of Amsterdam merchant and poet Roemer Visscher and the sister of Maria Tesselschade Visscher...
is buried in this church.
Church function
The church is formally owned by the "Stichting Behoud Monumentale Kerken Alkmaar", which conducts restoration activities and rents it out for weddings and concerts, but also facilitates various cultural initiatives of the city.External links
- Website Stichting Behoud Monumentale Kerken Alkmaar (Dutch only)
- Website Vrienden van de Grote Sint Laurenskerk Alkmaar (Dutch only)