Grijpskerk
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceGroningen
Municipality Westerkwartier
Unit prefMetric
Area total1.37 km²
Population total2,455
Population as of2021
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
Time zone (DST)CEST (UTC+2)
Coordinates53°15′51″N 6°18′22″E

Grijpskerk (ɣrɛipsˈkɛr(ə)k; gos: Gruupskerk χɾypsˈkɛːk or none: Griepskerk χɾips-; West Frisian: Gryptsjerk ɡripˈtsjɛrk) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Westerkwartier, about 18 km west of the city of Groningen.

Grijpskerk was a separate municipality until 1990, when it was merged with Zuidhorn.[1]

History

The village was first mentioned in 1500 as "Ruygwerdt alias Grijpskerke", and probably means church founded by Claus Grijp, the priest of Der Aa-kerk in Groningen. The griffin on the weather vane of the church is probably also related to the Grijp family.[2] Grijpskerk is a dike village which developed after the Ruigewaard was poldered in 1425. The dike later became the main the road from Groningen to Friesland.[3]

The church from around 1500 was destroyed in 1582 by plundering soldiers during the Dutch Revolt.[4] It was rebuilt between 1605 and 1612, and extended in 1856.[3] The Mennonite church originally stood in Pieterzijl and was moved to Grijpskerk in 1892.[3]

Grijpskerk was home to 611 people in 1840.[5] In 1866, a railway station opened on the Leeuwarden to Groningen railway line. The station is still in service, however the building was demolished in 1976.[6]

Grijpswerk used to be an independent municipality until 1990 when it was merged into Zuidhorn. In 2019, it became part of the municipality of Westerkwartier.[5]

Transportation

Railway Station: Grijpskerk

Notable residents

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Grijpskerk - (geografische naam)" (in Dutch). Etymologiebank. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  3. ^ Ronald Stenvert & Redmer Alma (1998). Grijpskerk (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90-400-9258-3. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Grijpskerk naar Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken" (in Dutch). Monumentaal. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Grijpskerk" (in Dutch). Plaatsengids. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  6. ^ "station Grijpskerk" (in Dutch). Stationsweb. Retrieved 9 April 2022.