Geertekerk | St. Gertrude’s Church
The Medieval Geertekerk is situated in the heart of Utrecht’s Museum Quarter. It is Utrecht’s smallest and youngest medieval parish church, and is currently used by the Utrecht Remonstrant Church.
History
In the Middle Ages, the Geertekerk was one of the city’s four parish churches, dedicated to St Gertrude of Nivelles.
The first church building was located outside the city walls, but in 1248 the Geertekerk was built within them. A lot has changed since then: the choir and transept are from the 14th century, the side aisles of the nave are from around 1400. Dating back to the thirteenth century, the tower is probably the oldest part that has been preserved.
Reformed church
After the Protestant Reformation, the church remained in use successively as a Reformed church, a stable, an army barracks, a warehouse and between 1814 and 1930 once again as a Reformed church. Around 1940, the church was in such a bad state that the roof had fallen in and trees were growing within the church walls. After it was bought by the Remonstrant Church, the building was fully restored between 1954 and 1956.
Observance
There is a service in the Geertekerk every Sunday morning. The services start at around 10:30 am and last about an hour. They are varying in character.
