Kerk van West-Terschelling

The church in West-Terschelling that visitors usually mean is the Doopsgezinde Kerk, the Mennonite church, on the Molenstraat in the main village of the island of Terschelling. It is a listed national monument, a rijksmonument, and it is built against the former parsonage, which gives the complex a domestic, village feel. It is a quiet place for a break from the beach and the cycle paths, and it opens a window on the religious history of the Wadden Islands.

The Mennonites, called Doopsgezinden in Dutch, are a Protestant group that grew out of the radical wing of the Reformation in the sixteenth century. They baptise adults rather than infants, reject violence and oaths, and emphasise a simple faith and community life. They were persecuted at first, but in the Dutch Republic they found a degree of toleration, and communities developed in many towns and on some of the islands. On Terschelling, a seafaring island whose men worked as whalers, sailors and pilots, the Mennonite congregation was part of the social fabric.

The church building is simple and light, in keeping with Mennonite tradition, which avoided ornament. Visitors can expect plain walls, wooden pews, a pulpit and windows with stained glass that add colour. The organisation that cares for the church often has hosts on duty, who welcome visitors, answer questions and may offer a cup of coffee, which makes the visit friendly and informal. Opening times depend on the season and the availability of volunteers, so check locally.

West-Terschelling has other sights close by. The Brandaris, the tall lighthouse that dates from the sixteenth century, rises above the village and is one of the oldest lighthouses in the country, and the old lighthouse known as the Oude Vuur is another landmark. The Natuurhistorisch Museum covers the nature and history of the island, and the harbour is a lively place with ferries to Harlingen and a smaller service to Vlieland. The explorer Willem Barentsz was born on the island, and the annual Oerol festival in June fills the landscape with theatre and art.

The church suits visitors interested in history, religion and quiet corners. It is easily visited on foot from the harbour, and the village streets make a pleasant stroll. Combine it with a bike ride on the dunes or the beach.