Dutch term – Kerkdienst

kerkdienst is a church service.

In most places in the Netherlands, churches are no more than 10 km (6 miles) apart, so anyone can walk to church within an hour (two if the roads are muddy).

In the image below we see a group of people leaving a church, drawn around 1654. At that time, churches were not heated. We can tell this service took place during the colder months. Several women have their hands in muffs, and some are carrying a little stove which would have held some hot coals to keep their feet warm. One woman brought a kneeling stool.

Group leaving church, circa 1654. Credits: Gesina ter Borch, collection Rijksmuseum (public domain)

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certification of Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials. Yvette served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and won excellence awards for her articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Yvette has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She helps people from across the world find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

Leave comment

*