Ever since the Middle Ages, the Brink has been the central point of Baarn, a square with a lot of history. Here we find Het Schoutenhuis, the oldest house on the Brink. There is plenty to do here. The terraces and the cosy market with dozens of stalls ensure plenty of life. A visit to St Paul's Church is more than worthwhile.
The Paulus Church stands next to the Brink, right in the city centre. It is the church you can hear from afar because every 15 minutes the carillon sounds and the bell strikes. During the summer months, carillon concerts are held and tours of the tower with carillon are available by appointment with carillonneur Bauke Reitsema.
Concerts
With rege...
Ever since the Middle Ages, the Brink has been the central point of Baarn, a square with a lot of history. Here we find Het Schoutenhuis, the oldest house on the Brink. There is plenty to do here. The terraces and the cosy market with dozens of stalls ensure plenty of life. A visit to St Paul's Church is more than worthwhile.
The Paulus Church stands next to the Brink, right in the city centre. It is the church you can hear from afar because every 15 minutes the carillon sounds and the bell strikes. During the summer months, carillon concerts are held and tours of the tower with carillon are available by appointment with carillonneur Bauke Reitsema.
Concerts
The church regularly hosts concerts due to its good acoustics. Classical concerts take place on Saturday afternoons or Saturday evenings. St Paul's Church can also be visited in consultation with the verger.
History
The Paulus Church was originally a Catholic church, St Nicolaaskerk, belonging to Paulus Abbey in Utrecht. The tower dates from around 1300. That a place of worship stood on this site even before then is proven by the baptismal font, which is at least 1,000 years old. During a renovation in 1888, half of the baptismal font was found. Only this half stood in the middle in front of the pulpit until 1975. During excavations, the missing part was found and the baptismal font restored to a whole. The church was enlarged and rebuilt many times during its existence.
Royal bench
The church houses the 'Royal Bench', which was commissioned by King Stadtholder Willem III in 1674. The bench holds the States Bible that Prince Henry (the Navigator) was presented by the church council on the occasion of his 50th birthday. Prince Hendrik, son of Crown Prince William II and Anna Paulowna, was baptised in Paulus Church on 18 July 1820.
Visit Pauluskerk
The door of St Paul's Church on the Brinkzijde is open daily between 11:00 and 15:00 if possible. You are then welcome to visit the church, light a candle or meditate.