Doleantiekerk; Keizersgrachtkerk

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

Introduction

A CHURCH of the reformed congregation, built in 1887-1888, so-called 'Keizersgrachtkerk' or 'cathedral of the Doleantie'. First Doleantie church of Amsterdam. The commission for construction was granted by the Nederduitsche Gereformeerde Gemeente under the leadership of Abraham Kuyper. To arrange practical matters the association 'de Kerkelijke Kas' was established. A. Kuyper acted on behalf of district V of that association. Initially an attempt was made to find the possibility on the land behind a 17th-century double townhouse on the canal to create a space for holding public worship services. The municipal administration prevented this and the townhouse was demolished for new construction. De Kerkelijke Kas initially wished to commission the architect J.W. Meijer. However, they ultimately decided to hold a design competition. Space had to be provided for 1600 congregation members. Only Meijer and Tj. Kuipers responded. Subsequently A.L. van Gendt and G.B. Salm were asked for designs. The design Soli Deo Gloria by G.B. Salm and A. Salm was chosen. Meijer designed the service and school building on the Kerkstraat. Designed in neo-Venetian style, related to neo-Renaissance. Gallery church with rectangular space. In 1942 the weakened foundations were reinforced. In 1958 the church was restored and modernised.

Description

A church building designed on a rectangular floor plan with a symmetrical facade. Front facade consists of a pointed gable flanked by two low towers. Behind the pointed gable a hipped roof covered with tiles is visible. Zinc capping of the ridge. On the ridge a square wooden structure placed as a roof turret with metal tent roof and ventilation louvres. The towers have a four-sided tent roof with metal cladding, reinforced ribs and an ornamented spire finial.

Facade rests on a whitewashed plinth with skirting. Centrally the main entrance arrangement. A flight of nine steps with simple metal handrail leads to recessed recent entrance doors. Entrance arrangement on the facade closed off by a pointed arch with frieze with cross shapes and mouldings. Pointed arch rests on profiled string course supported by a sturdy stone column placed on either side with a knot with buttons and base and capital. In the plinth further small window openings and a second entrance on the right-hand side. Above the plinth a facade section with a window on both left and right with double-light arched window. Leaded glass window filling and horizontal glazing bars. At the bottom as it were as a breast wall as on a balcony, a worked natural stone element with sills and consoles. This facade zone further built up from blocks of natural stone with some brick-laid fields. Ornament centrally above the pointed arch of the entrance. Two ornamented rosettes each with an iron hanging lantern with support point against the facade. Above narrow list a broad frieze decorated with floral ornaments. Projecting string course on corbels or consoles. Above this a series of seven coupled pointed arch windows with articulation and leaded glass window filling. Between the windows slender half-columns with capital. At the bottom of the windows ornamental wrought-iron railing. At the top profiled corbel stones, pinnacles, moulding and spout. Further a frieze with small cross shapes. Above this a large and pointed and segment-shaped spandrel with central rose window with geometric circular articulation. Leaded glass window filling. Furthermore two small round windows with horizontal articulation. The filling of the spandrel consists of decoratively laid brick. Above this still the remaining part of the pointed gable with cream-coloured tilework with circles inscribed in squares. Centrally within this a quatrefoil with natural stone frame. Natural stone and metal facade termination. Next to the series of seven coupled windows in each tower there is a window arrangement built up from a coupled double window as in the central series of seven. Next to railing and half-column now also a quarter-column. Above cornice a frieze with ornaments. Pointed arch shaped recessed spandrel with moulding and centrally circular frame with floral and geometric ornament filling. Alternating use of natural stone and brick. Tower structure above projecting list. Corner columns carry list with pointed arch shape. Below this a six-lobed rose window with leaded glass window filling. Alternating use of natural stone and brick. Below rose window still three arched window openings with separating sturdy posts. Front facade plane of the tower structure clad with cream-coloured tilework as described. Profiled cornice with spire finial. On the corners still a laid low post with small natural stone capping with floral ornament. Remaining facade planes of the tower structure of simpler design. Here plastered blind windows and moulding.

INTERIOR. Two galleries placed on columns. Traditional timber construction and cast-iron columns (Enthoven's Hage). High-placed pulpit without sounding board. Double rising staircase and tub on coupled column. Initially red covering, later altered. Wooden barrel ceiling with braces towards the windows and church pews with cast-iron base, marked: Patent 1881 Chicago/New York (hinged pews). The organ is the last mechanical organ built by D.G. Steenkuyl (1890).

Valuation

Church with associated interior of general importance because of its architectural historical value. Importance of the property as a particular expression of a spiritual development, both within the history of the reformed church and within the church history of the Netherlands. Typological and situational value. Facade and interior have been reasonably well preserved.