Der Aa-kerk
Encyclopedia
The Der Aa-kerk is the second Middle Ages church building in the city center of Groningen, The Netherlands (except for the demolished Sint-Walburgkerk and Broerkerk
).
and to Saint Nicholas
, the patron of the bargees who cast off the vesels at the Westerhaven (Westerharber).
In 1247, the chapel became the parish church and was named Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Aa (Our Lady at the Aa) - Aa being the nearby river. Groningen had two centers at the time. One of them was around the chapel. Here lived the fishermen and the traders.
Between 1425 and 1465, the chapel was changed into a brick church with a transept.
in 1672 show Der Aa-kerk without the top of the tower. After the war a new wooden tower top was built.
On 23 April 1710, the tower spontaneously collapsed killing two people. In 1711, a new tower was built.
The first Schnitger organ in the church was built by Arp Schnitger
in 1697 (see gallery for a sketch). In 1710, the tower of the church collapsed and the organ was destroyed.
The second Schnitger was built in 1702, originally for the Broerkerk
in Groningen. In 1815, the organ was transferred to the Aa-kerk.
The Bolsward organ build by Raphael Rodensteen in 1550 was originally for the Martinikerk
in Bolsward
.
In 1635, the organ was transferred to the Broerkerk in Groningen and in 1877 it was transferred back to the Martinikerk in Bolsward. In 1991, is was transferred again to Groningen and the Aa-kerk.
Broerkerk
The Broerkerk in Groningen, The Netherlands was a Medieval church connected to the Franciscan cloister in Groningen. The church was situated in the Broerstraat in Groningen. The Broerkerk was the first church in the town used by the Protestants....
).
History
Originally there was a chapel situated on the site of the current church. This chapel was devoted to MaryMary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
and to Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker...
, the patron of the bargees who cast off the vesels at the Westerhaven (Westerharber).
In 1247, the chapel became the parish church and was named Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Aa (Our Lady at the Aa) - Aa being the nearby river. Groningen had two centers at the time. One of them was around the chapel. Here lived the fishermen and the traders.
Between 1425 and 1465, the chapel was changed into a brick church with a transept.
Towers
Images of the Siege of GroningenSiege of Groningen
The Siege of Groningen was a battle that took place in 1672 during the Franco-Dutch war. It was a Dutch victory that ended all hope of the Bishop of Münster to push deeper into the Netherlands. The Münster army was so weakened by the defeat that the Dutch army successfully reconquered much of the...
in 1672 show Der Aa-kerk without the top of the tower. After the war a new wooden tower top was built.
On 23 April 1710, the tower spontaneously collapsed killing two people. In 1711, a new tower was built.
Organs
In 1667, an organ was built by Van Hagerbeer. It was demolised by fire in 1671.The first Schnitger organ in the church was built by Arp Schnitger
Arp Schnitger
Arp Schnitger was a highly influential German organ builder. He was primarily active in Northern Europe, especially the Netherlands and Germany, where a number of his instruments survive to the present day; his organs can also be found as far away as Portugal and Brazil.Notable examples still in...
in 1697 (see gallery for a sketch). In 1710, the tower of the church collapsed and the organ was destroyed.
The second Schnitger was built in 1702, originally for the Broerkerk
Broerkerk
The Broerkerk in Groningen, The Netherlands was a Medieval church connected to the Franciscan cloister in Groningen. The church was situated in the Broerstraat in Groningen. The Broerkerk was the first church in the town used by the Protestants....
in Groningen. In 1815, the organ was transferred to the Aa-kerk.
The Bolsward organ build by Raphael Rodensteen in 1550 was originally for the Martinikerk
Martinikerk
Martinikerk is the oldest church in Groningen, The Netherlands. The church and its associated tower are named after Saint Martin of Tours , the patron saint of the Archbishopric of Utrecht to which Groningen belongs....
in Bolsward
Bolsward
Bolsward is a city in Súdwest Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. Bolsward is just short of a population of 10,000.- History :The town is founded on three artificial dwelling hills, of which the first was built some time before Christ....
.
In 1635, the organ was transferred to the Broerkerk in Groningen and in 1877 it was transferred back to the Martinikerk in Bolsward. In 1991, is was transferred again to Groningen and the Aa-kerk.