Geertekerk (Geerte Church), Utrecht

The Geertekerk is one of the four parish churches in Utrecht that were dedicated, back in the Middle Ages, to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles; it is the smallest and youngest of them. The original church in this area was built outside the city walls, but then moved within the walls between 1248 and 1259.

Since then it had seen many renovations, including the Gothic main tower (probably the oldest preserved element) erected in the 13th century, nave aisles – dating from around 1400; and the choir and transept – from the 14th century. Built of brick, the tower carries two bells: the Ghertrut, weighting 1150 kilos, made in 1477; and the Jesus Maria Johannes (650 kilos), made in 1506.

On April 24, 1793, the notable Dutch mathematician, Laurens Praalder, was interred in the Geertekerk.

Following the Reformation, the Geertekerk was successively used as a Reformed church, a stable, barracks, and a warehouse; then, from 1814 to 1930, it had been used again as a place of worship. In 1855, following the Rhine flood, hundreds of residents of Veenendaal were temporarily accommodated in the building. By the end of the 1940s, the church had found itself in a ruinous state: almost no roof, and the trees growing inside.

After being purchased by the Remonstrant Brotherhood in the 1950s, the building has been completely renovated. Its sober exterior now has a rural vibe to it. The Geertekerk's organ, built in 1803, was moved here in 1956 from the Baptist church in De Rijp.

The exceptionally good acoustics, resulting from the restoration, has made the church a popular venue for concerts. In 2015, further adjustments were made to the interior, including large glass walls. Since 2017, the Geertekerk has also been extensively used for conferences, meetings and other public events.