Grote Kerk Veere
The name Grote Kerk is not an exaggeration in this case. The imposing appearance can be seen from afar. The first church was founded in 1332, in 1470 it was expanded to how we know the building today. Over the centuries, the church has had many other functions in addition to a religious function, such as a military hospital and beggars' workshop. At the time of the inundation of Walcheren (1944) and during the Flood Disaster (1953) it was even used as an emergency shelter for cattle. Church treasures and historical ornaments have disappeared over time, but in the windows you can still see remains of old gravestones. Nowadays, the story of Grote Kerk Veere is brought to life through an Experience, an interactive experience with the latest technology. Furthermore, the church is used as a stage for music, visual arts, literature, dance and theatre and you can rent it for events.
Location
Veere
Year built
1470
Building Style
Gothic
Architect
unknown
Client
The Chapter
Details
Huge church for a small town
Owned by Monumentenbezit
Since 2016
Wheelchair accessible
Yes, first floor
Visitor information
Discover the Experience in the Grote Kerk Veere. Here you can playfully experience the history of Veere. The church is also a stage for music, visual arts, film, literature, dance and theater. The Grote Kerk Veere is managed by the Stichting Exploitatie Grote Kerk Veere.
Visiting address:
Oudestraat 26, 4351 AV Veere
In 1332 , the first church of Veere was built on the site of the current Grote Kerk , which was elevated to parish church in 1348. Parts of the current choir possibly date from that time . In the course of the 15th century, the choir was enlarged to a three-aisled hall choir ( the so-called 'Kleine Kerk') , of which two naves now remain.
After the establishment of a chapter , around 1470, a start was made with the construction of a new church. This new construction consisted of a tower, a nave with side aisles and chapels and a transept (transept). The choir of the old church remained in use as such. The clients were Wolfert VI van Borsele (ca. 1430-1486), lord of Veere, and the churchwardens of Veere. The construction was led from 1479 by the Flemish architect Anthonis I Keldermans. After his death in 1512, his son Rombout took over that task. In 1521, the church tower probably had its current height, which was probably less than half of the intended height.
After Veere fell into the hands of the Watergeuzen in the night of 3 to 4 May 1572, the Grote Kerk was set up for Protestant services. The transept became a 'walking church' and storage place for municipal goods. The unused choir was rented out to a private individual as storage space from 1598 to 1604. In 1613, the northern choir aisle was separated by a wall to be set up as a church for the Scots.
During the English invasion in 1809, the church served as an emergency hospital. Hot baths were used to combat malaria. In 2018, traces of a boiler for such baths were found. The traces are still visible under a glass plate in the floor of the church.
In the period 1812-1813 the Grote Kerk was refurnished, with the windows being largely bricked up and four storey floors being added. Between 1822 and 1827 the church served as a beggars' workshop.
The Grote Kerk in Veere owes its size to economic prosperity. At the beginning of the 15th century, the church at that time appeared to be too small due to the growing population of the town. That growth came from the trade with Scotland.
Scottish wool nations (trading companies) were already present in Veere in the early 15th century. In 1541, the city became the staple for Scottish goods, with wool as by far the most important product. Wool was very popular in the Flemish cloth industry. The possession of the Scottish staple meant that Scottish wool and linen fabrics, leather and hides, but also salmon and butter, could only be sold in Veere. The 'factors' established in Veere sold the goods on behalf of Scottish merchants. The city owes the arrival of the Scottish staple to the lords of Veere, among others. They possessed a lot of local power and also had family ties with the Scottish royal family. Wolfert VI van Borsele, lord of Veere, had married the Scottish princess Mary Stuart, daughter of King James I of Scotland, in the Grote Kerk in 1444.
Although there were already trade contacts between Scotland and Veere in the 14th century, numerous Scottish traders settled permanently in Veere after the marriage of Wolfert VI and Mary. This marriage was concluded in the Grote Kerk Veere. Thanks to the ties with the Scottish royal family, the lords of Veere managed to obtain the Scottish staple for Veere in 1541. The Scots in Veere had their own laws and were allowed to exercise their own jurisdiction.
In 1686 the church was struck by a fire. The restoration of the damage took thirteen years. The church was given a new roof and the large tower was given a dome-shaped tent roof.
The next blow fell more than a hundred years later, in the battle against Napoleon Bonaparte. At the end of July 1809, an English invasion army landed on the coast of Walcheren. The English bombarded the city of Veere, whereby the Grote Kerk became unusable for worship due to damage. The garrison of Veere surrendered on 1 August 1809. The church was then seized by the English to serve as a barracks and hospital. This lasted for about half a year.
In 1810, after the departure of the English, the French occupiers took possession of all of Walcheren. The Grote Kerk was requisitioned in 1811 and had to be completely evacuated to serve as a hospital. All the gravestones in the church were destroyed, except for two of French Huguenots. These can still be seen in the church. The smashed gravestones were used for the sills of the windows. You can also still see that when you are in the church. Only the former Scottish Church was not requisitioned by the French, so that the Walloon and Dutch Reformed Church could hold their services there.
In connection with the arrival of the garrison, the church was designated as a military hospital by the State in 1832 and the Ministry of War took over the building, including the debt that rested on the building, from the church community. In 1875, the Municipality of Veere wanted to buy the Grote Kerk from the State. Civil servant Victor de Stuers (1843-1916) heard that the church was to be demolished, so that the stones and wood could be sold at a profit. De Stuers then campaigned for the preservation and management of the church by the State. Ultimately, the Grote Kerk was not sold to the Municipality of Veere, but came into the possession of the Ministry of Finance, which transferred it to the Ministry of the Interior in 1879. Until the last quarter of the 20th century, the Grote Kerk was used as storage, cattle stable and stable for carriages.
In 2016, the government transferred the Grote Kerk Veere to Monumentenbezit. In 2019, we restored the building and repurposed it as a cultural stage, where concerts and exhibitions are organized. In 2024, we added the former Gatekeeper's House of the Grote Kerk Veere to our portfolio.