St. Anthonis- of Oosterkerk
In a city that is as connected to the water as Hoorn, a church for skippers and fishermen can not be missed.
The Oosterkerk has had this special function for centuries. The church, originally called Sint Anthoniskerk, was close to the harbors. In the details of the church, this function can be seen as a shippers' church, for example the wind vane is a ship.
In addition to the aesthetic appearance and interior, the Oosterkerk also has a rich history. Already in 1453 a wooden chapel was erected on the site of the Oosterkerk, which gradually grew into a church over time. In 1519 this wooden church was converted into a stone church, making it the second oldest church in Hoorn. The coat of arms on the church, however, shows another year, namely 1616. The cause of this is a natural disaster that took place on April 13, 1603: a great storm caused the facade to collapse with a thundering roar. Part of the church remained unharmed, but the damage was considerable. Soon the rebuilding of the skippers church began, which was completed in 1616.
Today you can follow in the footsteps of many skippers and fishermen who preceded you, because the Oosterkerk is still in use: every Sunday morning a church service takes place here. Sometimes Cape Horn sailors enter the Oosterkerk to pray for a good return. The church is also used as a 'living room of Hoorn' for concerts, theater performances, festivals, conferences, meetings, information meetings, weddings and farewell meetings.