Nieuwe Kerk, Groningen
The Nieuwe Kerk, in the 18th century also called Noorderkerk, is a Protestant church in the city of Groningen, located on the Nieuwe Kerkhof in the Hortusbuurt.
The "new" in the name of the church is a reference to the "old" Sint-Walburgkerk. Originally the cemetery was called the Nieuwe Sint-Walburgkerkhof. The church is located on the northernmost hill of the Hondsrug; the Noordes or Tie.
History
After the Siege of Groningen in 1594, plans quickly emerged to expand the city significantly. The first plans date from 1608, but due to other priorities and financial problems, the new fortifications were not completed until 1624. In 1623, the site was designated as a cemetery by city architect Garwer Peters. He designed the four entrance gates to the cemetery, which were later demolished, one of which can be seen in a drawing by Cornelis Pronk. In 1634, architect Johan Isenbrants, commissioned by the city council, designated part of the cemetery for the construction of a future church building. The funds were still insufficient and it would therefore take decades before construction plans could be started.The new layout included a new church modeled on the Noorderkerk in Amsterdam. It is the first in Groningen built for Protestant worship. In 1660, the funds for the church were collected and construction could begin. The Nieuwe Kerk was designed by master Conraet Roeleffs and was built in Renaissance style with a floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross, crowned with a small crossing tower. Triangular houses were built in the corners, one of which is still inhabited by the sexton. Construction was completed in 1664.
There was already a cemetery on the new churchyard. In the past, plague victims were buried here, which was at that time still outside the city. The cemetery has now made way for a lawn with old maples and beeches.