Susan's NGTAW Blog: Gouda's Saint John's Church

Monday, May 2, 2022

Gouda's Saint John's Church - Longest in the Netherlands

Sint Janskerk's spire in the center of old Gouda

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Sint Janskerk is a large Gothic church in Gouda that has been placed on the register of top 100 landmarks in the Netherlands. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Gouda.

This structure was built between the 15tth and 16th centuries, first as a Roman Catholic church, and then 1573, it became Dutch Reform, with an active congregation still to this day.

When it's present foundation was laid in 1485, it became the longest church in the Netherlands.The church is famous for its 72 historic stained glass windows - installed primarily in 1555 - 1571.

The long nave of St. John's - looking forward toward the choir

The choir screen - marble and wrought iron

The apse and ambulatory are filled with light from the beautiful, colorful windows

Stained glass windows, and depictions of saints, are typically part of Roman Catholic decorations. Indeed, the majority of these windows were completed in the decade before the church became a Dutch Reform congregation. However, wealthy leaders and regents of the city protected it from the mobs that were fighting during the 80 Years War and the windows were preserved.

Many scenes tell the life of John the Baptist, and his relationship to Jesus. A few newer windows have been added, with a distinctly more modern design. The windows were protected during World War II by taking them apart and storing them in crates in surrounding houses and storage buildings. Some of the WWII storage crates are displayed in the church.