The origins of Delft's oldest church date back to the dark beginnings of the Middle Ages. Around 1050, a small tuff stone church, measuring approximately 12 by 30 meters, likely already stood in the settlement along the Delf River. When Count William II granted the bustling town of Delft city rights in 1246, that was considered the official "birth year" of the Oude Kerk (Old Church). So, the church actually has two birth years. From the very beginning, the Oude Kerk stood directly on the Delf, the old word for "canal," from which Delft takes its name. When they wanted to add a tower to the church in 1325, there was no space. Therefore, the water was likely diverted and the canal filled in. Thus, the tower was partially built on an old canal. However, this proved to be an inadequate foundation for the heavy stones. Even during construction, the tower began to subside. Fortunately, they managed to stabilize it—temporarily—before continuing the brickwork. Hence the "bend" in the tower, which is clearly visible from a distance. The leaning tower—also jokingly called "Crooked Jan"—has now been fully stabilized.