The Saint James Church

In his young years, a very youthful Michiel de Ruyter climbed up the St. Jacob's Tower to the top to prove his courage. And especially to show that he was man enough to climb a ship's mast. Michieltje wanted to go to sea so badly. True or not, it doesn't matter; it's a beautiful story. And it is a beautiful tower. With a stained glass window made by fire painter Hofman in the western church facade, installed in 1957 to commemorate the 350th birthday of De Ruyter.

The church itself was founded between 1308 and 1328 and enlarged to a cruciform church around 1500; it was expanded again in 1558. Since 1572, the church has belonged to the Dutch Reformed Congregation. In 1911, the church and tower were largely destroyed by fire. The reconstruction, which began immediately afterward, was completed in 1915.

Nowadays, in addition to regular services, classical concerts are also regularly held in the church. The tower can be climbed in the summer season to about halfway, where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the city, the sea, and the rest of Walcheren.

The last restoration dates from 1998.

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