Oostkerk (Middelburg)

The Oostkerk ( East Church ) is an octagonal domed church in Middelburg from the years 1664 to 1667. It was built as the first major church of the city after the Reformation, especially for the Reformed worship. This makes it one of the most important examples of early Protestant church building in the Netherlands.

Construction and Architectural History

How many Protestant churches is the Oostkerk a central building. It stands on an octagonal base and is completed by a dome with a lantern. With its rich ornamentation, the building is contrary to the Calvinist ideal of simplicity of construction. But since Middelburg was a rich city, the new church was to be the need for representation of justice.

1644 emerged the first plans to build a church for the Dutch Reformed Church in the new neighborhoods to the east of the city. To this end, they sought to suggestions for other Protestant churches in the Netherlands. It should develop an octagonal central building with dome. To this had to be expropriated 17 houses. To finance the building, the city raised a supplementary tax on wine and beer.

The church was started in 1648 according to designs of architect Bartholomeus Drijfhout and Pieter Post. Baumeister Aart van 's Gravensande continued to build from 1651, after Drijfhout had died. Also Gravensande died before completion of the church. The Middelburg City architect Louis Jolyt took over the work, and completed in 1667 the building. On July 6, 1667, the church was consecrated.

The organ

The organ dominates the north-west side of the interior. Among them is located in a central location, the pulpit and the altar. Was built the organ by the brothers Peter and John de Rijckere ( Kortrijk, Flanders). After many complaints and changes she was taken into operation in 1783.