June 23, 2009

• The location of the organ in a Reformed church

    In the 1930’s the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands became well-organized and the membership was growing. The congregations soon burst out of the smaller churches that were used since the Secession or Doleantie.

   

  Starting at the beginning of the 19^th century new Reformed churches were built in their characteristic style. Churches designed by renowned architects such as Tjeerd Kuipers (1857-1942) and Egbert Reitsma (1892-1976) were typical examples of this style.

   

  In these newly built churches the organ was positioned in a central location. Often it was installed directly above the pulpit, symbolizing the unity of the ministry of the Word and the congregational singing (prayer) in the reformed worship service. The reformed churches appreciated the writings about liturgy by Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), who published in 1911 Onze Eredienst (Our Worship Service). In this momentous work, Kuyper pointed out the importance of the congregational singing and the serving role of the organist. He shared his appreciation for the 16^th century Reformation through which the congregational singing was restored.

   

  (quote from EREdienst, June 2009, page 12)

   

  Some examples:

   

   

  Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerk - Kampen
  

  

  Bergsingel Kerk - Rotterdam

   

   

  Protestantse kerk - Wildervank

   

   

  And what about our churches? Maybe it has placed a role in the design of our buildings?
  Yarrow, Willoughby, Langley, Surrey Maranatha, Chilliwack, Abbostford... Organs are all placed in the front. It is not a rule, and it does not have to be, but the considerations in the Reformed churches in the Netherlands in the early part of last century could be valuable.

   

  
  Yarrow CanRC

   

  

  Langley CanRC

   

  • 12:42 am
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