Koepelkerk

The Dome Church Willemstad is a church in the center of Willemstad in the province of North Brabant. It was the first church, designed by Coenraat Norenburch, in the northern Netherlands that was built specifically for Protestant services. Construction began in 1597 and was completed in 1607. Prince Maurits provided financial support for the church, on condition that it would be built in a round or octagonal shape. The church is currently used by the Reformed Church/PKN and is a national monument. There is a cemetery at the church.

First church in the Netherlands built for Protestant worship. With the pulpit as a special centerpiece. Special cemetery!

From May to September, the Koepelkerk is open every Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. On Whit Monday and the national Monument Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors can learn about the history of the church through information panels and texts, and the hostesses and gentlemen are also happy to tell you about it.
The tower can be climbed during the opening for 1 euro and an exhibition can regularly be seen in the tower, which is organized in collaboration with the Friends of the Koepelkerk Foundation.
Prince Maurits gave a total subsidy of ƒ7,000 for the construction of the church, from Willemstad tax funds due to him. When granting this grant, he reiterated his wish that the church should be made in a round or octagonal form.

The new church, which would be the first church built for Protestant worship, had to distinguish itself from the mostly cruciform Catholic churches. The requirement also had to be met that the pulpit had to be seen and the sermon heard from all places. Preparations for construction began in 1596.