“Afkomstig uit de Zijpe” or “met attestatie van de Zijpsche kerk.” Ever heard someone say that? It’s a phrase that might lead you to a small town in North Holland. But, for those in the know, it points directly to the Sijpekerk, a unique reformed church right here.
This isn’t just any church. The Sijpekerk holds a special place in local history. Some think Oud-Loosdrecht is the older village. They assume Nieuw-Loosdrecht came later. But both villages are nearly the same age. In fact, the Sijpekerk is actually the oldest church around. The original church of Oud-Loosdrecht was torn down in 1842 and replaced.
Let’s jump back in time. In 1298, a document mentions an acre in Zijp belonging to ‘Aloudus van Loesdrecht’. This shows that both Loosdrecht and Zijp existed as places back then. By 1300, there’s talk of goods in ‘villa Ter Sipe’. “Sipe” meant waterway in Middle Dutch. A “villa” was like a large farmhouse where families lived and worked together. This was the start of a small community. It sat near the higher lands of Gooi.
The Sijpekerk’s story truly begins around 1400. Villagers struggled to reach the Oud-Loosdrecht church, especially in winter. Even the pastor from Oud had trouble getting to the chapel in Ter Sipe because of the weather. So, they sought permission to build their own church here. Experts believe the chapel expanded into a pseudobasiliek. The tower was completed around 1450.
In 1400, when the Sijpekerk was founded, it was dedicated to three saints. They were Pope Cornelius, the apostle Paul, and Antonius de Belijder. But locals didn’t really use those names. After the Reformation in 1578, people called it the Zijpsche kerk or new church. This mirrored the names of the villages themselves: Oud- and Nieuw-Loosdrecht.
What you see today isn’t much different from the Sijpekerk of the mid-15th century. There have been small changes. The consistory room was added. An entrance door was closed. The small portal at the side entrance was removed.
Restorations have been frequent. In 1963, the entire church was renovated. In 1995, they fixed the sinking gravestones with a new floor. Now, the Sijpekerk stands strong. It’s ready to last for many more centuries.
Inside, treasures await. Admire the three copper chandeliers. See the old oak pulpit. Don’t miss the bell-ringer and the two mourning signs from 1725. And there’s the old baptismal font. It was already mentioned in the founding charter of 1400. All these are reasons to visit the Sijpekerk. It’s a journey through time. It’s a testament to faith and community. It’s a story etched in stone and wood. And its doors are open.