"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

An ancient church in Friesland

One of my favorite little villages in Friesland is Olderberkoop. It is a charming village with a church in the center of the village green. Normally this church is not open but this past weekend there was a special event in which many churches in Friesland were open. Now I love old buildings, churches and graveyards so we stopped to look around. Won't you join me as I walk around?

This is the Bonifatiuskerk. It was built around 1125AD and is attributed to Saint Boniface who was a missionary in northern Holland.

Inside is lit by real candles.

And one of the doors still has its old iron hinges and lock.

A typical Dutch brass chandelier. These are a work of art in themselves.

The church is tiny but still holds features like this incredible pipe organ and faux marble pillars.

The architecture of the building is beautiful.

There are various bricks used pointing to changes being made to the church in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.

I have loved looking at graves since I was a little girl. My parents used to take me to a historical graveyard in our town to walk around and read the graves. My father would drive slowly while I walked with my little brother reading the names and dates on the tombstones. I still love looking at graves to this day. This flat tombstone was the oldest among the few graves around the church. It was dated 1681.

These tombstones are so beautiful. This grave dates to 1901...

...and these from 1886, 1903 and 1928. The front stone is for a man that passed away in 1886 while his wife lived until 1928. Often, I wonder what things would have been like for a couple like this but looking around the green you see many of the houses that would have also been standing in their time. That is part of the charm of this village...

14 comments:

Tammy said...

What a beautiful church! I like graveyards too and always go to the old ones when I go to Vermont.
When I visited Holland I drove my Aunt crazy because I wanted to see castles and the old churches, she practically "dragged" me all over Holland. I loved every minute of it! I missed this church though....hhmmm I think I need to email Auntie about this! ;-)
Thanks for sharing Heidi!
Hugs2u!

Andylynne said...

I love old churches and I have also walked graveyards since I was a girl. My mother and I stopped many many times over the years. This church is wonderful. I'v just finished pillars of the earth, by ken Follett, and am now reding world with out end. All about a cathedreal in Englind. This church would be from the same area. First book 1400s second 1600s. I love an old church and a good book.

Anonymous said...

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QMM

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi
What a neat old church! Sorry I haven't been by to visit for awhile. I am trying to catch up on all I missed. I was glad to hear the good report for your mom.
Hope you're doing well.
Hugs, Rhondi

Nancy said...

Those are beautiful headstones. I remember well when you and Eric wanted to tour the old cemetary.
You used to go up the the old mosoleums and then run like mad. It
was when Dark Shadows was on TV, and you two watched it.
The church is really pretty.
Love you, Mom

Linda said...

Hi Heidi....this is a beautiful old church, I really enjoyed seeing inside too. I love old cemetries also. The old headstones are such beautiful works of art and I always wonder about the people from so long ago...hugs, Linda

Judy said...

How beautiful Heidi. Thank you so much for sharing and taking us along. I just love old churches and old cemeteries. Can you imagine the stories they could tell?

Tracy said...

Loved this outing, Heidi... such a beautiful church! I love churches for their architecture, history and quiet interiors... and oftentimes lovely churchyards/graveyards. Thanks for taking us along wit you. Happy Days, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

Elizabethd said...

What an enchanting place. It has a slightly English look to it. How amazing to still have that pipe organ.

Saskia said...

I love old churches. I always visit a church when I can, if i'm in a different town or country. And burn a candle (or 2,3,4, it depends how many family,friends needs a little light and spirit)
They say there ghosts if a photo shows cirkels... so hmmm where there??
And I think i want a grave stone just like the one's you shown.
take care! And I burn a candle for you today.
Hugs Saskia

carolr said...

Loved your post today. I love old things; particularly headstones. We were in Halifax 2 years ago and saw many old ones, especially the victims of the Titanic. And that church! The candle lit made me think about how some things haven't changed.

Melanie said...

The old church is so beautiful...you don't see OLD buildings like that here in the States.

Reginas Cottage said...

Hi Heidi,
i like old church.They are so romantic.The pictures are great,
Have a nice weekend my friend.
Hugs Regina

I hope you are okay.

Sonja said...

Mooi oud kerkje! Bij het scrollen over mijn beeldschermpje leek het net alsof het kaarsje echt brande.