On Sunday, November 10, the flag flew at the Harbour church in Sassenheim. That day marked the start of a year of festivities to celebrate the church's 100th anniversary.
The Havenkerk was founded in 31 October 1924 and grew out of the Christian Reformed Church of Lisse. The initiative to establish its own church began in 1921 with three Sassenheimers, Johannes and Jacob van Nieuwkoop and Hendrik van Loo, who wanted to shorten the ten-kilometre Sunday walks to Lisse. The present church building was inaugurated in 1926, two years after the congregation was founded.
From the beginning, the Harbour Church has been a close-knit community of people with genuine interest and commitment to each other. The church wants to be a place in this complex society, where people can come to rest in God's love and attention. A lot has changed in a hundred years, but the message of the Bible has not. Harbour Church, together with other churches, is looking for how to be church in these times. For instance, every first Sunday of the month there is a family service with a more informal character and lots of music.
The anniversary year began on Sunday 10 November with a festive service, in which Rev Paul den Hertog presided. On 1 December, the singing duo Marcel and Lydia Zimmer will provide a service with lots of music. Furthermore, the Havencafé, a fortnightly meeting place with meals and activities, will contribute to the festive year. The closing will take place during the 2025 Open Monument Day with an exhibition and local delicacies.
