Faith in the Low Country: Religious Affiliation, Baptist Origins, and Historic Churches
As a student of all things related to church, religion, and spirituality, when we travel, I am eager to learn more about the faith and culture of the places we visit. I am especially interested in the Netherlands because of the role the Dutch played in our Baptist history. Our tours have taken us to several historic churches, but I'm inclined to probe a little deeper.
What is the current religious landscape?
The Netherlands has undergone a remarkable shift in recent
decades. As of 2023, about 58% of Dutch adults claim no religious affiliation,
while Catholics and Protestants account for roughly 17% and 13%, respectively; Islam
also represents approximately 6% of the population.
Though secularism is prominent, around 44% of people still identify with a
faith tradition—a slight increase from previous lows. Religious attendance
remains modest: about 12% attend services regularly, with Protestants attending
most frequently and Catholics least.
Amid this changing spiritual landscape, historic churches
still stand tall across the country, serving as reminders of faith’s deep roots
here. The Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, dating back to 1306, is the city’s oldest
building and was once the heart of community life. The towering Grote Kerk in
Dordrecht dominates the skyline much as it did when the Synod of Dordrecht met
there in the early 17th century. These landmarks are more than architectural
treasures; they are witnesses to centuries of worship, reform, and renewal.
How do Baptists trace their origins to the Netherlands?
Our river cruise launched in Amsterdam, which is not just a
scenic city, but the birthplace of Baptist tradition.
In 1609, English Separatists John Smyth and Thomas Helwys,
exiled in Amsterdam, embraced believer’s baptism—rejecting infant baptism—and
formed what is considered the first Baptist church. Smyth even baptized himself
before baptizing others, a radical stand for conscience and biblical
conviction.
As Smyth moved toward Mennonite theology, Helwys remained
committed to Baptist convictions. In 1611, he authored the first Baptist
confession of faith, and later penned a landmark defense of religious liberty,
declaring that such liberty is a right for “everyone, whether Protestant, Roman
Catholic, Jew, or Muslim.”
Today, the Union of Baptist Churches in the Netherlands,
officially founded in 1881, traces its roots back to that Amsterdam
congregation. As of 2023, it includes 80 congregations and about 9,200 members.
The convictions of Thomas Helwys were formative to Baptist belief
and practice, especially in matters pertaining to church and state. In 1612 Helwys
argued, “The King is a mortal man and not God... men’s religion to God is
between God and themselves.”
This bold declaration, penned from prison, echoes centuries
later as a powerful affirmation of conscience and freedom.
It’s striking to consider that in a nation now leaning
secular, a small congregation in Amsterdam once laid a theological foundation
that continues to influence global Baptists. It’s a reminder that conviction, even
from a minority, can flow into a movement.
And as we visit towering churches that have stood for
hundreds of years—stones worn smooth by generations of worshippers—we see that
while the culture may change, the witness of faith and the gift of religious
liberty still endure.
What are some of the notable churches on our tour?
In Amsterdam, our tours took us by the Oude Kerk, the Nieuw
Kerk, the Westerkerk, and the Basilica of St. Nicholas.
In Dordrecht, we circled the Nieuw Kerk (new church) on
Sunday morning and were able to step inside to hear some of the hymn singing in
Dutch.
In Gorinchem, we walked by the Grote Kerk. The historic
tower and spire were still intact, and a new sanctuary had been built and
attached to it. The colors were similar, but the differentiation between the
old bricks and new bricks was obvious.
We look forward to seeing the churches in Germany and Belgium
on the final days of our journey.
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