The Church of Langerak.

This page is translated by Vincent Ver Steegt from Dutch into English in April 2005.

The Reformed Church of Willige Langerak has always had a prominent place in the village community. The stone foundation for the church steeple was laid in 1627. The church in its present state dates from the 18th century. In 1863 the church was rebuilt and in 1893 enlarged. The outside south wall of the present church shows the brick foundation from the early church. Most likely the church building had a lot of damage in the fire of 1672, which destroyed the whole neighborhood of the church and was replaced by a new church building. Below we see a drawing of the church in 1745.

There is one link connecting the family Versteegt and this church from a 20th century post card. Kees Versteegt from Willige Langerak sent his card to his son Gerrit in Lynnville, Iowa

  When we visit the church now we see a sign on the front of the church from the ANWB-board.

Tranlated it says:
N. H. CHURCH Willige Langerak
Willige Langerak is older than Schoonhoven.
In the 13^thcentury there was already a church here.
Steeple Tower build in 1627, restored in 1978
Nave destroyed in the war of 1672/3
and rebuilt in the 18^th century,
enlarged in the 19^th century.

The photos below show us how the church building looks at this moment.

Last edited on 04-04-05