Grote Stadskerk

The Grote Stadskerk is a masterpiece, its towering wooden structure a testament to the history of Suriname. Its simple design, its white walls, and its tall wooden beams speak of the past, when it was a church for enslaved people. The church’s history stretches back to 1735 when the first Moravian missionaries arrived in Suriname. They were not welcomed by the government, and initially, they were not allowed to open a church. Then, after twenty years, they were allowed to open a church. They were finally able to build a church in 1778. The Dutch colonial government had allowed the missionaries to become active because they thought these peaceful missionaries had a chance of Christianizing the enslaved people. However, the church served as a safe haven for many enslaved people. During this time, many people were buried behind the church. The missionaries had a church where they could practice their religion, where they could find solace, and where they could build a community.
The church grew in size over the next fifty years, and again in 1827, a new Grote Stadskerk was built. This one is the one that still stands in the heart of Paramaribo. It’s now the biggest Moravian church in Suriname. The church was built with materials that were readily available, mostly wood.
It stands on Steenbakkerijstraat, one of the main streets in the historic center of the city. It is a true monument to the history of Suriname, standing as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the past. In 1863, the day before the emancipation of slavery, the church was covered in flowers. It was a symbol of hope and new beginnings, and even today, it continues to be a place of worship and community.