The Dutch Reformed Church

The old part of the city of Halle is occupied by the territory of the fort, which is now declared an archaeological zone. As in any closed military garrison, there was its own church, only its construction is not connected with the military history of the fort.

The Reformed Church of Grote Kerk was built in 1754 at the personal expense of Gertrude Le Grande, wife of Commander Gasparus de Jong, for a long prayer for the birth of a child. Mrs. Gertrude was a grateful woman – immediately after the birth of her son, a small temple was built in the fort. Today it is the oldest church in the city. It retains records of marriages from 1748, and baptisms from 1678.

The church has a small organ located directly above the main entrance. There are numerous tombstones in the floor and walls. In those days, it was considered the norm that wealthy Europeans with enough money could buy a place for burial under the arches of the church. The decoration of the temple is very modest, the only thing that attracts attention is the stained glass windows on the windows in the form of multi-colored squares. The church is active. Despite the small number of parishioners, there is a regular service.