Listen | St Vincent's Church
For years, my Catholic fellow villagers made a mile-long trek to Edam every Sunday to attend mass.
In fact, we had no Catholic church here until 1860. Fortunately, this St Vincent's Church was built then.
As you can see, the church is close to the IJsselmeer. Consequently, the parish priest did not always keep dry feet.... In 1916, the church and the houses around it were hit by a major flood disaster. I remember it well, the small houses were flooded up to the top floor. It was a terrible situation. Some of the residents of the houses we were fortunately able to shelter in my hotel located higher up on the dike until the water level dropped again. I couldn't leave my fellow villagers to their fate, could I?
Looking at Hermanus van der Haar's painting on the screen, you can see how high the water was in 1916.
The church is open to tourists only during the summer months, feel free to take a look.
V...
In fact, we had no Catholic church here until 1860. Fortunately, this St Vincent's Church was built then.
As you can see, the church is close to the IJsselmeer. Consequently, the parish priest did not always keep dry feet.... In 1916, the church and the houses around it were hit by a major flood disaster. I remember it well, the small houses were flooded up to the top floor. It was a terrible situation. Some of the residents of the houses we were fortunately able to shelter in my hotel located higher up on the dike until the water level dropped again. I couldn't leave my fellow villagers to their fate, could I?
Looking at Hermanus van der Haar's painting on the screen, you can see how high the water was in 1916.
The church is open to tourists only during the summer months, feel free to take a look.
Continue your way by walking past the church on the right and then cross the next drawbridge up the embankment.
