Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken

Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken (SOGK), commonly known as Groninger Kerken, is a Dutch heritage foundation dedicated to preserving the historic church buildings of the province of Groningen. Founded on 13 May 1969, it was the first regional foundation in the Netherlands to take responsibility for the maintenance of churches. Its mission is to conserve historic, nationally listed (Rijksmonumentale) church buildings in the province and to promote public interest in them. The foundation owns a large portfolio of religious heritage: as of 2025 it is the owner of 103 churches, nine free-standing church towers and two synagogues, and it also cares for 62 old churchyards. Most of the churches in its possession date from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and the collection includes notable examples of Romanesque-Gothic architecture. A condition for taking over a building is that it is on the national monuments list, which allows the foundation to claim restoration subsidies. Beyond preservation, Groninger Kerken gives buildings new uses where they can no longer serve as churches, and it promotes cultural activity: the organisation reports around 1,000 cultural events per year and works with roughly 700 volunteers. It publishes the quarterly magazine Groninger Kerken and its office is located in the Remonstrant church in the city of Groningen. The foundation is supported by more than 6,000 donors and invites the public to become donors to help keep the churches open.

Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken was founded on 13 May 1969 as the first regional foundation in the Netherlands dedicated to the maintenance of churches. The initiative came from the Provinciale Kerkvergadering der hervormde kerk (the provincial church assembly of the Dutch Reformed Church), and the first chairman was the pastor Bjarne Kristensen. Among the people who became important to the organisation were Regnerus Steensma and Harry de Olde. The foundation's purpose was to preserve the centuries-old heritage of church building in the province of Groningen for future generations. It takes over historic church buildings, provided they are listed as national monuments (Rijksmonumenten), so that restoration subsidies can be claimed. Over the decades it built up a large portfolio consisting mainly of churches from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, including some masterpieces of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, as well as a number of younger churches. By 2025 the foundation owned 103 churches, nine free-standing church towers and two synagogues, and it also cared for 62 old churchyards. Where a building can no longer function as a church, the foundation seeks a new use for it, while continuing to maintain it as heritage. It also promotes public interest in the buildings through cultural events, open churches and publications. The organisation publishes the quarterly magazine Groninger Kerken and has its office in the Remonstrant church in the city of Groningen. It works with around 700 volunteers, hosts roughly 1,000 cultural events a year, and is supported by more than 6,000 donors.

• 2025

  By 2025 the foundation owns 103 churches, nine free-standing towers and two synagogues, and cares for 62 churchyards.

• 1969

  Foundation established on 13 May 1969 as the first regional church-preservation foundation in the Netherlands.

A regional heritage foundation and steward of Groningen's historic religious architecture, combining monument preservation with cultural programming and public engagement.

• Historic church buildings (103 as of 2025)

• Free-standing church towers (9)

• Synagogues (2)

• Churchyards (62)

• Quarterly magazine Groninger Kerken

1. 1Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken official websitegroningerkerken.nl
2. 2Wikidata: Stichting Oude Groninger Kerkenwikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (NL): Groninger Kerkennl.wikipedia.org