Rotterdam Rechter Maasoever , South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Waalse kerk
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Eglise Wallonne
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Walloon Church
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
1. Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon Church Marker
(sedert 1591 in Rotterdam)
De kerk, met aangrenzende kosterswoning, werd in 1923-1924 gebouwd naar ontwerp van de architecten J. Verheul Dzn. en J. van Wijngaarden. De bouwer was de firma Wolterbeek & Van Dorp. W.H. Gispen ontwierp de smeedijzeren kroonluchters, de psalmborden, hanglampen en kachels.
De eerstesteenlegging vond plaats op 23 september 1923 aan de Boschhoek door Christiane Reyss (dochtertje van de predikant), 6 jaar oud. De oplevering was op 15 augustus 1924 en de inwijding op 13 september 1924. Door het bombardement van Rotterdam in mei 1940 werden kerk en kosterswoning ernstig beschadigd. De kerk lag oorspronkelijk aan het Vestwater (een restant van de westelijke stadsvest) die tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog werd gedempt. De kerk staat op de zgn. 'brandgrens' van de stad. Het Bätz-Witte orgel, dat kwam uit de Waalse kerk op de Korte Hoogstraat, dateert uit 1865 en is gerestaureerd in 1988. De kerk is rijksmonument sedert 2000 en in 2008 werd het gebouw grondig gerestaureerd.
this page online
(à Rotterdam depuis 1591)
L'église et l'appartement adjoint des marguilliers furent construits en 1923-1924 par les architectes J. Verheul fils et J. van Wijngaarden. Constructeurs: Wolterbeek & Van Dorp. A W.H.Gispen furent confiées la conception et l'installation de 6 lustres en fer forgé, des tableaux d'affichage des cantiques, les suspensions et les radiateurs électriques.
La première pierre fut posée par Christiane Reys, petite fille du pasteur en septembre 1923. L'édifice a été livré le 15 août 1924 et il fut inauguré le 13 septembre 1924. En mai 1940 le temple et le logement des marguilliers furent assez sérieuseme endommagés par le bombardement de Rotterdam. L'église était située au bord d'une large douve (restante de la forteresse ouest de la cité) qui fut comblée durant la guerre. Le temple est maintenant situé sur 'la limite de l'incendie' de la ville. L'orgue Bätz-Witte qui date de 1865 et qui se trouvalt dans l'église au Korte Hoogstraat fut restauré en 1988. L'église Wallonne est un monument classé depuis l'an 2000 et en 2008 une restauration à l'intérieur et l'extérieur du bâtiment a été réalisée.
Walloon Reformed Church of the Walloon Community
(in Rotterdam since 1591)
The church, with adjacent sexton's house,
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
2. Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon Church Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here on the left corner of the building.
The foundation stone was laid on September 23, 1923 by the minister’s 6-years old daughter, Christiane Reyss. Construction of the church was completed on August 15, 1924 and the dedication was on September 13, 1924. The church and sexton's house were seriously damaged by the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940. The church was originally situated on the Vestwater (a remnant of the city defenses), which was filled in during the Second World War. The church is located on the so-called 'fire boundary' of the city (the approximate edge of destruction from the 1940 fire-bombing). The Bätz-Witte organ, which came from the Walloon church on the Korte Hoogstraat, dates from 1865 and was restored in 1988. The church has been a national monument since 2000 and the building was thoroughly restored in 2008.
Erected by the ANWB. (Marker Number 35600/001.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1923.
Location. 51° 54.845′ N, 4° 28.796′ E. Marker is in
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 20, 2024
3. Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon Church
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nationaal Monument Voor De Koopvardij / National Merchant Marine Memorial (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); International Congregational Council (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); May 1940 War Memorial (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Toni Koopmanplein (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Wijkpark / Neighborhood Park - de Reus van Rotterdam / the Giant of Rotterdam (approx. one kilometer away); Monument Voor Joodse Oorlogslachtoffers / Jewish War Victims Memorial (approx. one kilometer away); Gouvernestraat (approx. one kilometer away); Verzetskruis Herdenkingsmonument / Resistance Cross Memorial (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rotterdam.
Also see . . . Walloon Church, Rotterdam (GPSMyCity).
Excerpt: What makes the Walloon Church particularly distinctive is its connection to the Walloon Reformed Church, a denomination that finds its roots in the Dutch Reformed Church. The term "Walloon" refers to Calvinist church buildings in the Netherlands and its former(Submitted on April 9, 2024.)colonies, which congregants from the Southern Netherlands and France called their spiritual homes. French serves as the native language for members of these churches, emphasizing their origins from Southern Belgium and France.Photographed by “Sporo”, circa 19354. Waalse kerk / Eglise Wallonne / Walloon ChurchShowing the church situated on the Schiedamsesingel, a defensive channel which was filled in during WW II.
Historically, the Walloon Church in Rotterdam has been a refuge for those fleeing persecution and seeking solace in a new land. The church welcomed not only its original members but also embraced Huguenot refugees who found common ground in the French language, Calvinist beliefs, and a shared history of escaping religious persecution. This convergence of cultures and faiths has contributed to the church's rich tapestry, making it a vibrant hub for connections and community-building.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
