College Visits the Village Church
On Tuesday, October 6, the Municipal Executive paid a working visit to the Dorpskerk in Wassenaar. During the visit, the members of the Municipal Executive were briefed on the work being done to make this centuries-old national monument more sustainable. They also met the volunteers working on the project.
For centuries, the Dorpskerk has played an important role as a gathering place for residents. The oldest parts of the building date back to the 11th century. This makes the church not only an important historic landmark, but also a visible part of Wassenaar’s history.
Making a Historic Landmark More Sustainable
Making a historic building of this size more sustainable is no easy task. That is why, in recent years, a great deal of effort has gone into developing plans to make the building more energy-efficient without compromising its historic character.
Volunteers make it possible
Volunteers from the Protestant Congregation of Wassenaar and the Wassenaar Village Church Monument Foundation worked with an architect to handle the preparations for the project. They explored the possibilities, secured funding and grants, and built support within the community.
Various measures are being taken to make the church more energy-efficient and future-proof. For example, an insulation blanket made of pure sheep’s wool will be installed on the barrel vaults, solar panels will be installed on the second roof, and laminated secondary glazing will be installed behind the stained-glass windows. This secondary glazing not only helps limit heat loss but also prevents condensation. In addition, an energy system featuring heat pumps is being installed. This will make the church more sustainable while preserving its cultural and historical value.
Alderman Wendy Frigge: "The Dorpskerk demonstrates that heritage preservation, sustainability, and social engagement can go hand in hand. Thanks to the tremendous dedication of volunteers, this special monument will be preserved for future generations and can continue to fulfill its important social role for Wassenaar."
Ready for the future
This sustainability project will not only preserve an iconic monument but also an important gathering place for residents and organizations, where concerts and other community activities take place. In this way, the Dorpskerk will continue to be of value to Wassenaar in the future.
