Kerk, Oude Groenmarkt 23

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

The GREAT or ST. BAVO CHURCH, elevated to a collegiate church in 1479, a cathedral church in 1559, since 1876 undergoing restoration, built on the site of a church mentioned in 1307 and largely destroyed in the 14th century, whose last parts were only demolished in 1470 (tuff stone foundations thereof found in 1843), is a cruciform church, consisting of: a largely tuff stone nave (begun circa 1400) with two side aisles (completed 1483) of brick, using tuff stone, from which the entire west facade is constructed; a transept (1445-15th century) but heightened (the north arm in tuff stone before 1496); a three-sided closed choir (late 15th century) of tuff stone with 9/18 closed ambulatory of brick, completed in 1483; and the following annexes against the nave and choir, beginning from the West: on the south side a. the leper chapel (now collectors' room); b. the founding chapel entirely opening onto the south aisle (De Raat chapel, 1423-1426, altered 17th century first half, allegedly by Lieven de Key, who treated the buttresses and gable top in a classicistic manner); c. the Holy Ghost chapel (now deacons' room); d. the baptismal chapel with a bricked-up entrance in its south wall; e. a space (originally a porch, now minister's room) with sandstone portico (late 15th century), to the S. of which a spiral staircase, leading to a loft space; f. against the west wall of the south transept the Holy Sepulchre chapel (15th century); g. against the south transept a modern porch (in the place of a late 15th century one); h. to the E. of this arm, and entirely opening onto the choir ambulatory, the Brewers' chapel (15th century B) with a storage place built into the southeast corner (formerly archive of the Brewers' Guild); i. the sacristy of the vicars (15th century) with an entrance in the north wall and a spiral staircase, leading to a room located above it and to the 'Library' and, higher up, to the passage along the choir;

j. the meeting room of church wardens (17th century B); k. the large sacristy (1428), above which the "Library" (Church Wardens' archive); l. to the S. of this the sexton's house (partly 15th century); m. to the SE. of the choir closure a building (1659, restored by Salomon de Bray in a gothicising manner 1903), containing the church council chamber and the "gentlemen's office" (former meeting hall of the churchmasters) and in whose facades are two sculptured cartouches; n. against a southeastern closing wall a porch (upper part later rebuilt and altered 17th century B); with moulded entrances on east and south sides, corner buttresses (presumed altered 17th century), decorated battlemented parapet and gable top on the north side; o. against the third bay of the W. the Cellite Friars' chapel (1428, later called the Dog-Slaughterers' chapel), opening entirely onto the north aisle; p. to the E. of the north transept (thus opposite the Brewers' chapel) the Christmas chapel, entirely opening onto the choir ambulatory (15th century B, rebuilt since 1557), in whose north wall there is still a fragment of a balustrade (17th century D) with obelisk; q. to the E. of this the chapel of the seven sorrows (15th century, since 17th century D also called the chapel of Schagen), above which a floor.

Staircase towers: in the angle between the north arm and the nave; in the angle between the latter chapel and the choir ambulatory; in the west facade next to the south buttress. At the crossing a lead-clad, partly open, bell tower (1520, by Jacob Symonsz. van Edam), replacing a stone one, built since 1505 under the direction of Anthonis Keldermans, which proved too heavy for the crossing piers.

In the renewed west facade a double entrance, above which a large window (bricked up 18th century B) (in which there was a stained glass window donated by bishop Joris van Egmond, 1545, based on cartoons in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam by Gerrijt Boels after designs by Barend van Orleij). The wall reinforcements of the high light aisle have recesses, pointing to initially planned flying buttresses and stone vaults. The facades of the transepts show niches in the top, the middle one of which on the north side contained a Mary image (1496) (now stored in the archive room) and on the south side still contains an image of St. Bavo (late 15th century). Traceried patterns, balustrades, pinnacles and crownings of the western buttresses new. Wrought iron fleuron cross (now stored in the choir ambulatory).

As master builders, besides those already mentioned, the following are recorded: Godevaert de Bosscher and Steven van Afflighem (nave), and Mr Evert van Antwerpen (transept).

Internally: in the nave columns with foliage capitals, in the choir without capitals (in their place thin bands, above which the arch profiles disappear). In the choir a triforium, in the nave and the transept battlemented parapets running along the window openings. Above the choir and the nave wooden star vaults (1532-1538), supported by wall columns on corbels and with capitals. Stone cross-ribbed vaults with decorated keystones above the side aisles (in the north aisle: 1483), the choir ambulatory, the chapels and the eastern porch; stone star vault (1500, evidenced by an inscription above the north arch) above the crossing; stone cross-ribbed vaults (1891-1892) above the transepts.

In the leper chapel a Gothic small door. In the Holy Ghost chapel decorated corbels (angels with Passion instruments) and keystone (Holy Ghost); Gothic small door; in the north wall a cross-shaped opening onto the church. In the minister's room sculptured corbels. In the Holy Sepulchre chapel two sculptured keystones (Saviour and Holy Ghost), and likewise corbels; in the east wall a niche for the Holy Sepulchre; cross-shaped opening onto the transept. In the Brewers' chapel two sculptured keystones (St. Martin and St. Bavo). In the sacristy of the vicars a Gothic niche (lavabo); on the floor above an opening, affording a view into the Brewers' chapel; oak barrel vault on carved heads. In the meeting room of church wardens an oak door in frame (17th century B). In the large sacristy sculptured corbels and keystones; on the floor above a Gothic fireplace and a tile floor (partly 16th century). In the Cellite Friars' chapel sculptured corbels (including a dog-slaughterer) and capital on the central column. In the Christmas chapel a keystone (1557 and arms of Pieter van Dorp). Above the floor above the chapel of the seven sorrows an oak roof with moulded rafter feet.

The church possesses: Oak choir screen (16th century A) with carved panels and copper bars (1514, partly renewed), cast by Jan Fyerens of Mechelen after models, carved by Mr Steven. The crown above the middle section is from 1877. Oak choir partitions with late Gothic panels (1536, by Damiaan Hendriks) and carved bars (17th century C). Two choir closures (17th century).

Fragments of a sandstone partition (17th century C) on the east side of the choir; its crown is located in the baptismal chapel. Wrought iron gate (1426, by Mr Geurt) for the founding chapel. Choir stalls (16th century A) with two carved figures and with armrests ('misericords'), partly renewed; in the back panels of thirty-five seats painted coats of arms (17th century C); canopy with carved cornice, in which the coats of arms of Haarlem and St. Bavo. Square hardstone baptismal font. Oak pulpit (1679, by Abr. Snellaert after design by Erasmus den Otter) with carved decoration (17th century A) above the sounding board (1844) and a crown (presumably 19th century B); yellow copper railings (1679, by Gilles Wybrandts, after models by Abr. Snellaert). Oak pulpit (17th century A) in the choir. Copper lectern: pelican, cast in 1498 by Jan Fyerens of Mechelen. Copper preacher's lectern; likewise cantor's lectern; likewise baptismal bowl holder (17th century D). a. Main organ: organ with Great work, Upper work, Choir work and separate Pedal, made in 1738 by Christiaan Muller. Organ case with decoration by J. van Luchteren with gallery and front after design by Dan. Marot. Beneath this a marble allegorical relief (1735) by J.B. Xavery. b. Choir organ: against the north wall an early-18th century single-manual organ of southern construction. In 1906 from the Charity Hospital in Breda. Oak furnishings (Holy Ghost bench, approximately 1500, restored 1880) against the west wall of the south aisle. Next to this a stone with inscription (1553). Some oak governing benches (17th century). Three oak draught portals, two of which in 1640 after design by Pieter Post, and one (17th century B).

Tomb monuments. Sculptured cartouche (1569-1572) for Ermgaert Coenraetsdr. against the southwest crossing pier; likewise cartouche (1607) for Nic. van der Leurin in the Brewers' chapel; De Raet-Schuylenburch epitaph (1771); marble memorial (1843, by Jos. Geefs of Antwerp for Christ. Brunings and Fred. Will. Conrad); grave marker (1806) by P.J. Gabriel of Amsterdam; memorial (1831) for Bilderdijk. Two red sandstone coffins. Numerous gravestones, the oldest from 1479 (of Berkelrode), various 16th-18th centuries; gravestone (1649) in copper border; some gravestones with copper handles (18th century C). In the choir the gravestone of Frans Hals. Mutilated stone group (late 15th century, Christ before Pilate ?) in the north arm. Plaster bust of King Willem I (1825, by J.F. Sigault of Amsterdam). Tapestry paintings (16th century A, on one: 1506) against the columns of the choir; two paintings (texts in frames, respectively 1580 and 1585, the latter by Jacob Savrye) against the crossing piers; painting (16th century) in the eastern transverse arch of the choir on the north side; painting (16th century) on a wall column in the choir ambulatory. Stained glass windows: one (approximately 1655, from the Dutch Reformed Church in De Rijp); one (1679, by Krijn Gerritsz. Cuylenburgh, from the Dutch Reformed Church in Beverwijk, with old and new coat of arms of Haarlem and the conquest of Damietta); one (1698, by Willem van Cleeff and Pieter Loover of Rotterdam, from the Dutch Reformed Church in Lisse) with the coat of arms of Rijnland and the coats of arms of Dike Reeve, secretary and high bailiffs; one (1741, from the Great Church in Hoorn which burnt down in 1846) with depictions of trades; some fragments (1788-1790, from the Dutch Reformed Churches in Warder and Alkmaar), with family coats of arms.

Painting (16th century A, attributed by van Mander to Geertgen tot St. Jans), on panel, depicting the St. Bavo church from the south side, with the tower of 1505. Two copper wall sconces (16th century A); a number of grave lamps (18th century C) with the coat of arms of Haarlem. Two text boards (17th century D) four psalm boards (17th century C), two inscription boards (1573); in the choir ambulatory an oak board (1581, but with pediments 17th century B); in the Brewers' chapel a board (1652, by Nic. Boddingius) with names of ministers; a board with verse, painted 1738, and with the depiction (17th century B) of an orphan boy and an orphan girl (with a money chest nearby); a board (1658) with the coats of arms of deacons and a verse, signed D.G. (uldewagen). Silverware (partly also from the Bakenesser and the New Church). Two engraved communion cups (1592, by Corn. Willems Doren), with depiction of the church; two plain ones (evidenced by the marks 1645, by G. Meynertsz Fabritius); one (1649); two (1653, by Jan Akersloot); one (1654, by the same); two (1732, by Jacob Groeneweg); two (1737); two collection plates (1728); eight small leaves (1737). In 1919 a fragment of a late Gothic silver paternoster was found in a grave. Bells: one cast in 1503 by Gerijt van Wou, two in 1667 by Petrus Hemony of Amsterdam, one in 1686 by Claude Fremy; two (the so-called 'Damiaantjes') cast in 1732 (by C. Crans ? of Amsterdam). Carillon, ten bells of which cast by F. Hemony 1661/62. Barrel organ mechanism from circa 1664.

In the Library a small bell (1638) is kept, which formerly hung by the organ. Clock mechanism (1665) by J. Sprakel of Zutphen. Miscellaneous: three ships (17th century, one made in 1686 by David Koenen), an iron grille chest and an iron money chest (16th century); an iron alms chest (16th century); two iron seal stamps (1616 and 1631); in the baptismal chapel a dial clock (1731, by Is. Hasius); staffs (19th century A) of the fire brigade officers, painted with depictions of the church.

In the sacristy of the vicars a series of minister portraits, two of which (19th century A), drawn by J.P. Visser Bender. In the church council chamber: a fireplace with sculptured sandstone cheeks (approximately 1600) and an iron hearth plate (18th century); some panels (17th century) of a panelling; an oak porch, of which the partition work comes from a house at the corner of Zijlstraat and Nassaulaan; two copper wall arms (17th century); a painting (17th century C); adoration of the shepherds (in the manner of A. Bloemaert); four carved little lions (17th century), from a gentleman's bench. In the 'gentlemen's office' a fireplace as in the previous room, with a painting (17th century D, flower piece in the manner of G.P. Verbruggen) in a frame (17th century C); oak panelling (circa 1650); painted ceiling (17th century C), an oak cabinet (17th century B), a mirror cabinet (18th century C), twelve chairs (18th century) four carved little lions (17th century, from a gentleman's bench); list with the names of church wardens (1737-1765); two copper wall arms; some tinware (17th-18th centuries). In the meeting room of church wardens: an oak door with frame (circa 1650) four oak cabinets (17th century), six chairs (18th century B); board with the names of deacon board members (17th century D-18th century A).

In the large sacristy: a watercolour drawing (1804, by H.P. Schouten), view of the bell house from the West; a likewise drawing (1844), after a painting by P. Saenredam, view through the church towards the South; a pen drawing washed in India ink (1789, by V. van der Vinne), view in the church towards the East. Watercolour drawing (17th century B), view in the St. Laurens church in Rotterdam, from the East. In the sexton's quarters: a cross-ribbed vault (above the former small sacristy); an oak cabinet (17th century); a painted gravestone (1595). On the south side of the church low shops (17th century A, but modernised). The following paintings, originating from the St. Bavo church, are now in the Frans Hals Museum: St. Luke painting the Virgin (1532, altar piece of the St. Luke chapel by Maarten van Heemskerck); two wing pieces of a triptych (1546, by M. van Heemskerck), belonging to the Cloth Merchants' altar; the youths in the glowing furnace, altar piece (1575, by P. Pietersz) of the Bakers' Guild.