English Reformed Church, Amsterdam

Why the English Church is falling down

The building consists of three parts. The oldest is the tower, which was part of the structure consecrated in 1419 and to which the present nave was attached in 1492. This was built in brick to replace a wooden structure, which had burnt down.

The church proved too small to house the growing congregation and in 1665 the nave was extended on the southern side.
Each part of the church has its own separate foundations, in Amsterdam traditionally made of wooden poles driven into the damp soil and sand on which the city is built. Twenty-five years ago, as part of a major rebuilding project, the foundations of the 1665 nave extension were renewed.

However, in recent months significant cracks have appeared in the walls of the tower and the nave. A survey by a professional engineer has revealed that the 15th century foundations of both the nave and the tower need urgent attention or the building will collapse.
In addition to the problems with the foundations, the partial collapse of the roof of the southern nave extension and significant rainwater leakage into the church in 2003 required emergency repairs to the roof and gutters of the nave extension and the tower to prevent further disastrous deterioration.

These ?Phase 1? repairs were completed in Autumn 2003.
next: The Restoration Costs

Related topics: Restoration Appeal Overview - building - history - contact - finance

14-02-2006

Why the English Church is falling down The building consists of three parts. The oldest is the tower, which was part of the structure consecrated in 1419 and to which the present nave was attached in 1492. This was built in brick to replace a wooden structure, which had burnt down. The church proved too small to house the growing congregation and in 1665 the nave was extended on the southern side.
	Each part of the church has its own separate foundations, in Amsterdam traditionally made of wooden poles driven into the damp soil and sand on which the city is built. Twenty-five years ago, as part of a major rebuilding project, the foundations of the 1665 nave extension were renewed. However, in recent months significant cracks have appeared in the walls of the tower and the nave. A survey by a professional engineer has revealed that the 15th century foundations of both the nave and the tower need urgent attention or the building will collapse.
In addition to the problems with the foundations, the partial collapse of the roof of the southern nave extension and significant rainwater leakage into the church in 2003 required emergency repairs to the roof and gutters of the nave extension and the tower to prevent further disastrous deterioration. These ?Phase 1? repairs were completed in Autumn 2003.
	next: The Restoration Costs