Hello, I'm Boldewin. One of the pastors of Our Lady church is behind me. You will surely register - I will arrange it for you! Now look just above the church for a beautiful view of the city of Zwolle. It's very foggy, but you may see the town square! When you're done, it's best to take a look at St. Michael's Church, the marketplace, and the school north of here. If you want to study here, you will first have to buy your own textbooks from the market. <Press 'Space' to go to the top> <Press 'ESC' to continue down>
Welcome. I'm Mauricius, one of the pastors of Our Lady church. If you have not yet registered with the church, you can do so with my brother Boldewin here beside me. Let me tell you about the history of this beautiful church behind me! The church is a late Gothic cruciform nave, made entirely of stone!
The choir of the church was built from 1394-1399. The altar was already placed in 1398, and consecrated in 1399. In 1417, the chapel was extended with transept arms, like the span of a ship. The 'ship' is the main hall of a Gothic church. After a break of several decades, the ship was completed in 1454 and the church was a magnificent vessel! The first three segments were completed in 1484. There were six bells to hang in the tower. The choir of the church, the "Onser Liver Wrowen Sengers," was established on January 2nd, 1498.
On August 13th, 1393 Gerardus van Spoelde declared in his will that his house should become a chapel in honor of God and the Virgin Mary. Every day, a chaplain (vicar) would dedicate the Mass in the "Voerstrate" (front street), for the salvation of Gerardus and his parents. To support the priest assigned to this chapel, eight 'morgens' [cf. acres] of land in Mastenbroek was made available. After his death, the board of Zwolle sold the house of Gerardus, which they were entitled to do according to a provision in the will. From the proceeds, the provost of Deventer bought the Court of Zwolle at its current location.
Currently Zwolle has only one parish: St. Michael Church. The Our Lady only has the status of chapel. The construction of the Church of Our Lady, according to the design of city wall master Berend van Koblenz, began in 1394. This should interest you, as a future architect! Ha ha.
In 1399, the building advanced to where the choir of the chapel was ready. On November 26th, 1399 the chapel, founded in 1398, was consecrated with the Altar of St. Anthony. The year before the initiation, a terrible plague raged in Zwolle! Perhaps that's why it was dedicated to Anthony Abbot, the plague saint. To finance the construction of the chapel, Pope Boniface IX granted indulgences [Catholic definition] to visitors to the chapel.
In early 1400, the number of visitors to the church rose. The first phase of the chapel was completed in 1417. At that time the choir was also ready, as well as the two transepts and the easternmost bay of the 'nave'. Construction came to a halt, because construction moved to St. Michael Church. From 1406-1454 there was a conversion from a fourteenth century Romanesque basilica to a Gothic hall church. But for everything on the Saint Michael Church, you should see my wife Ada. She is at the Saint Michael Church, and can tell you all about it.
The second phase of the Our Lady Chapel covers the period of 1452-1454. At that time the nave was extended with four additional spans. This structure is closed on the west side by a wall and two diagonally placed buttresses. They are still visible outside, partially incorporated into the masonry of the tower. Behold, what a beautiful church! Good day and good luck with your training.