In the 13th century permission was granted to use the building as a parish church, named Onze Lieve Vrouwe ter Aa (Church of Our Lady ter Aa).
The current church is largely the result of a major transformation of this Romano gothic church into a Gothic one. It started with a new choir in 1452 and after heightening of the transept and the addition of side-aisles, little was left of the old church.
After the Reformation in 1594, Catholicism was banned, and the name of the church was shortened to Der Aa-kerk.
In 1671 lightning struck the tower, destroying its upper part and the western vaults of the nave. The tower was rebuilt in such an amateur way, that it collapsed in 1710, destroying part of the nave.
A new tower in Classical style was built. The colourful upper part was designed by town architect Allert Meijer and was completed in 1718.
A big restoration started in 1975 and was completed in 1987. In that year the church-council handed the building over to a separate foundation, which maintains it. The church is now used for all sorts of events. |
