The Boskerk Ommerschans

The church is located in the Ommerschans near Balkbrug. The Ommerschans has a rich history. From defenses in the 17th and 18th centuries to beggars' asylums in the early 19th century. Before the church was built there was an inn on the same place. The Boskerk is one of the few buildings in the Ommerschans that have survived from the time of the beggars' asylum. The church was built in 1845 by the "beggars". The church is originally Dutch Reformed. Later it was also used by the Catholics. The benches could be folded. The Reformed looked to the west, the Catholics to the east. In a later period, a corridor was built in the middle of the church to create a clear separation between the Catholic part and the Reformed part. As far as is known, the Boskerk is the only church in the Netherlands where Catholics and Reformed people used one church building together so early in the 19th century.