St. Mary's Anglican Episcopal Church

Algemene informatie

In 1635 St. Peter's Church in the Hoogstraat became the home of both the French protestants and of the English congregation and was designated the “French and English Court Church”. In 1708 a new building was consecrated on the Haringvliet and styled “The English Church of St. Mary's at Rotterdam ”. Until the occupation of the French in 1795 the Church and its congregation flourished. Most of the English population returned to England and the Church was sadly despoiled. The French and later the Russians used the building as prison, artillery arsenal and granary, so the building was in a sad state when the congregation returned in 1815.

Many disasters fell upon St. Mary's Church; the Tower was struck by lightning in 1864 and had to be removed and many repairs were necessary because the Church was starting to subside. In 1878 St. Mary's was fortunate enough to come under the patronage of the Colonial and Continental Church Society, now known as the Intercontinental Church Society (ICS), who still own the building and have the right to appoint the chaplain.

At the end of the 19th century the port of Rotterdam flourished as a result of increasing international trading. The need for more pastoral care and support became obvious and together with the Scots Church a Seamen's Centre was opened at the Boompjes. In 1893 the Missions to Seamen were invited to undertake this important task in conjuction with St. Mary's Church.

In the early 20th century, the building on the Haringvliet was beyond repair and St. Mary's Church and the Missions to Seamen were given permission to build a new church and Seamen's Club in Delfshaven adjacent to the riverfront. The famous Rotterdam architect J. Verheul Dzn designed the building in Neo-Gothic style. In June 1913 the Bishop Bury laid the foundation stone.The First World War was a difficult time for St. Mary's Church. The church was used for the internment of prisoners of war. The Chaplain at that time, Rev H. Haworth Coryton, ministered the POW's in Groningen and as a thank-offering Mr. Leonard A. Powell of Cornwall painted the three- panelled reredos at the back of the altar.

Although the congregation has changed from mainly British to a more international group of people, St. Mary's still continues to serve the English-speaking community in and around Rotterdam. One of the highlights in the history of St. Mary's was the visit in 1958 of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip together with HM Queen Juliana, Prince Bernhard and the Princesses Beatrix and Irene on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of St. Mary's Church. In April of 2008, St Mary's had the 300th anniversary which was visited by now Queen, Beatrix.