Kerk, Torenlaan 14

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

Description

A CHURCH executed in Eclectic style, designed by R. Kielstra. The contractor was K.F. Ozinga from Dokkum. The church, according to a memorial stone in the side facade, was built in 1868 and is constructed in reddish-brown brick under a saddle roof covered with black flat Frisian tiles; cast-iron gutter on corresponding cramps; at the front on the roof a tower, consisting of a square base with upon it a slate spire, laid in Maas bond. The tower section was renewed in 1894.

Front, rear and side facades have a brick-built travertine frame and contain pointed arch windows with cast-iron tracery: the side facades each have five windows and the front facade has three, of which the central one is somewhat larger than the rest. Above this larger window is a small round window that has a broad white-rendered surround with four keystones. The rear facade has three large rose windows, one of which is in the gable top. The facades contain render work decorations: at the corners of the central projection and facades seven-sided rendered pilasters on which a zinc-clad "cone" is set. A rendered cornice strip creates a setback in the central projection; cast-iron rose anchors on rear and side facades. In the north facade two tablets are placed with the following text:

During the founding of this church On 2 June 1868 the first stone was laid by Willem Harders Dirk Gjalts Reitsma at this church building Predikant Alhier; and in that year were elders and deacons: In that year were church wardens: Roelof Valentijns Boeling, Rijpke Tjerks Atsma, Alle Martinus Wagenaar, Gjalt Wiicor Reitsma, Johannes Jans de Boer, Gerhard Reeling Johannes Buning.

The front facade has as termination a rising arch frieze which is interrupted by the central projection. In the projection a double door set in a stucco surround with pediment. The same door arrangements, but then with a single door in the south facade. The rendered accents recur at the tower: corner pilasters with cone decoration. Pediments on top of the four sides of the tower; around coupled pointed arch sound holes under a built arch with abutment and key stones of stucco; in three of the four sides a round clock. The clock dates from 1924 and is from the firm Gebr. Van Bergen from Midwolda. The spire carries a golden ball with cross and weathervane.

At the rear of the church a pentagonal VESTRY is built on, which is lower than the church building; window in the three rear sides. The material use is identical to that of the church.

The INTERIOR was largely replaced in the 1950s. Preserved details are the four round ventilation grilles with cast-iron decoration, at the top of the barrel vault. The grilles are surrounded by decorative plaster with plant motifs. On the side walls are the memorial boards from 1888 and 1934. On the wooden organ gallery is an organ with decorative wood carving. It is an intact single-manual organ with pedal attachment, manufactured in 1888 by J.F. Kruse - Firma W. Hardorff & Zoon, Leeuwarden.

Valuation

The Dutch Reformed hall church from 1868 is of general cultural and architectural historical importance:

- as an essential spatial and functional component of the complex with manse and association building;

- because of the high degree of integrity of the exterior;

- because of the design, with use of Eclectic elements;

- because of the ornamentation;

- because of valuable interior components, including the organ and the clock;

- because of its prominent location.