Leerdam (ZH): reformed church
The
reformed church or Grote
Kerk is mostly a late-Gothic building, but part of the tower dates from
the second half of the 13th century and is in Romanesque
style. The church this tower belonged to was gradually
replaced. In the first half of the 15th century a Gothic transept was
built, followed by the choir and the sacristy, both of which have
decorative natural stone layers in their brickwork. In this same period
the tower was heightened.
Early 16th century the northern transept-arm was replaced by a wider
one. The original nave was replaced by the current pseudo-basilican
construction in c. 1550, with side-aisles flanking the tower. The
portal on the south side dates from the same period.
The church was restored in 1863-1865, but many of the changes were made
undone during a second restoration in 1954-1960. A coat of plaster was
removed, the north portal and the stair-turret next to the south portal
were reconstructed and the spire at the tower was renewed and a
balustrade added to it.
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