Noorderkerk Amsterdam

one of the first Protestant churches

The Northern Church is a national monument on the edge of the Canal Belt.

The Noorderkerk (Northern Church) was built by the famous 17th-century architect Hendrick de Keyser.

Building

Built between 1620 and 1623 the Noorderkerk was one of the first Protestant churches in the Netherlands that was built after the Reformation. The Protestant faith is visible in the shape of the building: a Greek cross with 4 arms of equal length and with the pulpit as the central place.

Annex buildings occupy each corner of the cross, and a small tower sits in the centre of the cross. Large Tuscan pillars dominate the church interior.

Architect

The church was built to the design of the famous architect Hendrick de Keyser, who also built the East India House, Montelbaanstoren, Zuiderkerk, Munttoren, Bartolotti House, Huis met de Hoofden and Westerkerk (completed by his son Pieter de Keyser).

Church for the poor

The Noorderkerk served the rapidly growing population of the Jordaan neighbourhood. The Jordaan already had the Westerkerk, that was used mainly by the middle and upper classes. The Noorderkerk became the church for the common people.

The church is still used for Dutch Reformed Church services and is also used regularly for classical music concerts.

Location

The Noorderkerk is situated in the Jordaan neighbourhood of Amsterdam and dominates the Noordermarkt, where on Mondays a flea market and on Saturdays an organic farmer's market are held.