The pile-driving work for the Zuiderkerk (or Janskerk) began in 1603, and on 22 August the same year, the first stone was laid by Johan Bicker, son of mayor Gerrit Bicker.[1] The 1603 design, in Renaissance style, was by the Amsterdam city architect Hendrick de Keyser, son of a Utrecht joiner, who had come to Amsterdam around 1591 together with the city engineer Cornelis Bloemaert. Although stones from the demolished city wall could be used for construction, the work still had to be halted for almost four years due to lack of money.
The church was inaugurated on Whit Sunday 1611; after that, it took until 1614 before the tower and the churchyard with its two sandstone gates were also completed. Of these, the gate on St.Anthoniesbreestraat is still preserved. It too was designed by Hendrick de Keyser.
When Hendrick de Keyser died in 1621, he was buried in the Zuiderkerk. His gravestone is still present. Although the church was built for Protestant worship, it was named (St.) Janskerk. (see G.D. Bom H.Gzn)
As a child, there was already a predilection for visual art. As a technician, I was always creative in products, services and working methods. In later years, more time was taken for my art (photography) passion... Read more…