History
The town is named for its "old church", which was a prominent landmark for centuries on the horizon for ships travelling along the IJssel river. There is an indication that a little church may have been present here in the 10th century. This would be remarkable since the Krimpenerwaard would have been a swamp at that time except for some minor hills. As the Krimpenerwaard has dried up and the river dikes along the river have been raised, the church has "sunk" much lower in the landscape today than in former centuries, which was the reason for raising the tower in the 19th century.
The oldest official reference to the village is from 1263 when it was called Oudekerke. Though several Roman coins from the fourth century have been found, this does not confirm the presence of a Roman settlement. But it is probable that there was an older village here called IJsele until the 12th century. Remains of a tuff stone church foundation from that same century have been found.
Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk, an army leader during the Spanish War of Succession, is buried in the main church.
-
Ouderkerk aan den IJssel in 1867.
-
Old wooden mortuarium built in the early 19th century in neoclassical style for the cemetery situated against the dijk.
-
Dorpstraat, behind the church.
Read more about this topic: Ouderkerk Aan Den IJssel
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“I think that Richard Nixon will go down in history as a true folk hero, who struck a vital blow to the whole diseased concept of the revered image and gave the American virtue of irreverence and skepticism back to the people.”
—William Burroughs (b. 1914)
“History takes time.... History makes memory.”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
“Certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or for the patriotism and heroism displayed.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)