Grijpskerk | |
---|---|
Nickname: Smallruggen | |
Coordinates: 53°15′51″N 6°18′22″E / 53.26417°N 6.30611°E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | Groningen |
Municipality | Westerkwartier |
Area | |
• Total | 1.37 km2 (0.53 sq mi) |
Population (2021)
[1] | |
• Total | 2,455 |
• Density | 1,800/km2 (4,600/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 ( CET) |
• Summer ( DST) | UTC+2 ( CEST) |
Grijpskerk (Dutch pronunciation: [ɣrɛipsˈkɛr(ə)k]; Gronings: Gruupskerk or Griepskerk [χɾypsˈkɛːk, χɾips-]; West Frisian: Gryptsjerk [ɡripˈtsjɛrk]) is a village in the Dutch province of Groningen. It is located in the municipality of Westerkwartier, about 18 km west of the city of Groningen.
Grijpskerk was a separate municipality until 1990, when it was merged with Zuidhorn. [2]
The village was first mentioned in 1500 as "Ruygwerdt alias Grijpskerke", and probably means church founded by Claus Grijp, the priest of Der Aa-kerk in Groningen. The griffin on the weather vane of the church is probably also related to the Grijp family. [3] Grijpskerk is a dike village which developed after the Ruigewaard was poldered in 1425. The dike later became the main the road from Groningen to Friesland. [4]
The church from around 1500 was destroyed in 1582 by plundering soldiers during the Dutch Revolt. [5] It was rebuilt between 1605 and 1612, and extended in 1856. [4] The Mennonite church originally stood in Pieterzijl and was moved to Grijpskerk in 1892. [4]
Grijpskerk was home to 611 people in 1840. [6] In 1866, a railway station opened on the Leeuwarden to Groningen railway line. The station is still in service, however the building was demolished in 1976. [7]
Grijpswerk used to be an independent municipality until 1990 when it was merged into Zuidhorn. In 2019, it became part of the municipality of Westerkwartier. [6]
Railway Station: Grijpskerk