Dutch Church, Austin Friars

Dutch Church, Austin Friars

The oldest Dutch foundation in the world
Country United Kingdom
Denomination United Reformed Church
Website Dutch Church
Architecture
Style Georgian architecture

The Dutch Church is a familiar landmark[1] within Broad Street Ward,[2] in the City of London. The original church was a monastic priory known as "the Augustinian Friars, London", (which became shortened to "Austin Friars, London"), founded in 1253 by Humphrey de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford(d.1275) [3] During the Dissolution of the Monasteries it was dissolved in 1538 and granted by the crown to to John a Losco 1550, who founded preaching house for congregation of Walloon refugees.[4] The Dutch connection thus starts in 1550[5] King Edward VI gave Protestant refugees from the Netherlands permission to establish their own parish. It is as such the oldest Dutch-language Protestant church in the world.[6]

In 1940, the building was destroyed during the Blitz, but in 1950 a new church was built to the design of Arthur Bailey. The new building is a concrete box frame, externally clad in Portland stone.[7] The church possesses detailed archives,[8] and is a popular tourist attraction,[9] it celebrated its 450th anniversary in the millennium year.[10]

The church was designated a Grade II listed building on 25 September 1998.[7]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The City of London—a history, Borer, M.I.C. : New York, D. McKay Co, 1978 ISBN 0094618801.
  2. ^ British History On-line
  3. ^ Victoria County History, London, Vol.1, 1909, Friaries: The Austin Friary, pp.510-513
  4. ^ Churches of the City of London, Reynolds, H: London, The Bodley head, 1922.
  5. ^ "The London Encyclopaedia" Hibbert,C;Weinreb,D;Keay,J: London, Pan Macmillan, 1983 (rev 1993,2008) ISBN 978-1-4050-4924-5
  6. ^ Official web-site
  7. ^ a b Details from listed building database (479546) . Images of England. English Heritage. accessed 24 January 2009
  8. ^ Guide to the City Churches, Betjeman, J: Andover, Pitkin, 1974 ISBN 0853721122.
  9. ^ More details
  10. ^ Kerk in de City, Sluyterman, K.E. Hilversum, Verloren, 2000 ISBN 9065506098.

External links