Grijpskerk 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 | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Dairy factory in 2011 | |
| Nickname: Smallruggen | |
| Coordinates: 53°15′51″N 6°18′22″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 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
Populated places in the municipality of Westerkwartier | |
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| Villages |
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| Hamlets | |