Pilgrim Fathers Church, Rotterdam

The origins of the Old or Pilgrim Fathers' Church can be traced back to 1417 when the site witnessed the consecration of the Roman Catholic Saint Anthony church. The first visual representation of the church dates back to 1512. In 1574, during the Reformation, the church underwent changes in alignment with its new Protestant identity.

In 1608, English Dissenters found refuge in the Netherlands. After leaving the Church of England, they formed their own religious group. After living in Leiden for eleven years, they became known as Pilgrims and set off for America in 1620 from Delfshaven on the ship Speedwell. Their aim was to worship freely and preserve their English identity.

Historical records indicate that the Pilgrim Fathers gathered in prayer on the dock adjacent to the church. It was much later that the church came to be known as Pilgrim Fathers' Church, a name bestowed by American visitors.

The Old or Pilgrim Fathers' Church boasts an airy and expansive interior. White plastered arches delineate the nave from the aisles. The unadorned walls are adorned with commemorative panels listing the names of the vicars who tended to the congregation from 1574. The intricately carved pulpit originates from the 18th century.

Typical of Dutch Protestant churches, the pulpit is situated within a rectangular enclosure. This space also accommodated the church council during services and served as the site for baptisms. The choir area features stained-glass windows illustrating the six days of Creation. The church is home to a 44-bell carillon, although the oldest bell cast in 1464 is now on exhibit due to its cracked condition.