Grote of Sint Nicolaaskerk
On 18 June 1397, the Bishop of Utrecht, Frederik van Blankenheim, gave permission to build a parish church in the city centre of Elburg. The church building was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of seafarers. The church was initially not very solidly built. A thorough restoration was started in 1448 to prevent collapse. City accounts show that the reconstruction of the church lasted until 1465. The two transepts (side wings) were built later, as was the sacristy. The consistory room was not added to the church until 1819. The Reformation was a turbulent period. In September 1566, the iconoclasts destroyed a large part of the interior of the church. Statues of saints were destroyed, altars were pulled down and wall paintings were covered with whitewash. From around 1580, Protestant services were held in the Saint Nicholas Church.