Village Church Eelde, Location Celtic Folk Festival

Tucked away in the heart of Eelde, the Dorpskerk stands proudly and impressively, a peaceful beacon in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This characteristic building has a rich history dating back to the 11th century, in 1139 Eelde got its own church, built with sturdy tuff blocks.

As the centuries went by, the tuff church began to grow old and in the 14th century it was replaced by a brand new building. No one is quite sure why the old church was demolished - some say it was destroyed by fire, while others whisper of ancient strife and power struggles. All we know for sure is that the Dorpskerk became a reformed church in 1598, after the ruler of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe ordered all priests and teachers in those provinces to convert.

Inside the Dorpskerk you will find a wealth of interesting features. The pulpit is the oldest in all of Drenthe, carved from wood in 1621. And if you look up, you will see a beautifully painted wooden ceiling in the kware, with an allegorical scene attributed to Herman Collenius and added in 1715. And of course no self-respecting church would be complete without a pipe organ, and that of the Dorpskerk has been completely restored to its former glory. So if you're ever in Eelde and in need of some peace and quiet, don't forget to pay a visit to this historic, quirky place of worship.