Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (Alkmaar)

The Grote or Laurenskerk is a church in the Dutch city of Alkmaar.

History

At the site of Laurenskerk already existed in the 10th century a wooden church, which was probably destroyed by fire in the 11th century. The bridge subsequently been replaced since 1470 by the present church in the style of Brabant Gothic style, which was completed in 1520. In the 16th century the church fell to the Protestants.

They must be distinguished from the Catholic Laurentiuskerk ( Alkmaar ) from the 19th century.

Equipment

The great organ was built in the years 1639-1646 by the organ builders Galtus, Germer and Jacobus van Hagerbeer. The organ case was designed by Jacob van Campen and Caesar van Everdingen. The instrument has undergone numerous changes over time. With respect to the present organ in particular the works of Franz Caspar Schnitger, who remodeled the instrument in accordance with the North German organs. The organ has been recently extensively restored in the years 1982-1986 by the organ builder Flentrop. The instrument has 56 registers on three manuals and pedal.