The Dutch Reformed Church of Ellewoutsdijk dates back to the 15th century. In World War II, during the Battle of the Scheldt, it was thoroughly destroyed. In 1950, the church was rebuilt on the old foundations.
After a merger of the Dutch Reformed congregation with the neighbouring Driewegen congregation, the building became vacant. In the year 2000, Stichting ‘t Kerkje van Ellesdiek bought the church for a symbolic sum, promising to preserve the building for the village. This also secured its public function for the village. Since 2000, the foundation organises activities in the church building.
Organ
After the church was rebuilt, one of the Netherlands’ best organ builders, the Van Vulpen Brothers, installed a new church organ in 1953. Since the year 2000, Stichting ‘t Kerkje van Ellesdiek has been responsible for this beautiful sounding patrimony. In early 2023, an extensive inspection by the Van Vulpen brothers revealed the need for a thorough restoration. A report including a quotation was then requested from fa. Nijsse en Zn from Oud-Sabbinge, who had been responsible for regular maintenance for the past 20 years.
This revealed the following:
- The organ case was sagging and the glue joints of several panels and doors were weakened.
- The bellows leaked air and had to be renovated.
- About eight front pipes showed metal fatigue; a specialised company had to restore these pipes.
- Finally, a maintenance and cleaning job was needed and the organ had to be tuned.
Although Stichting ‘t Kerkje van Ellesdiek is not linked to any particular denomination or signature, the organ holds an important place. It not only defines the church’s image, but its tones still regularly colour the atmosphere inside ‘t Kerkje.
The Van Vulpen Organ is played at gatherings and at a number of cultural activities. The church also has a public function, making it available for funerals and weddings, among other things. On these occasions, too, a properly functioning organ is of great value.
Result
With financial contributions from the Culture Fund, the Hurgronje Family Fund, the Zabawas Foundation and Rabo Club Support, the organ has been restored. For years to come, ‘t Kerkje van Ellesdiek will again have an organ of good quality. It enables the foundation to carry out its cultural and philosophical activities in a proper manner. It is also important for the village and its surroundings that ‘t Kerkje van Ellesdiek now and in the future has a church organ worthy of being played.
On Sunday October 13, the organ was played again for the first time. Marcel van Westen, permanent organist at Sankt Severin in Aachen, Germany, graced the occasion with a festive organ concert.
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