Architects: E. Reitsma (1892-1976)

Architects: E. Reitsma (1892-1976)

Egbert Reitsma was born in Ulrum as the son of L. Reitsma, a carpenter and contractor who also worked as an architect. The family belonged to the calvinist Gereformeerde denomination, for whom father Reitsma built a church in Ulrum in 1901. Like his father, Egbert became a carpenter and a contractor. His education consisted of several drawing courses and an internship with architect J. London in Hilversum. In 1917 he was employed by architect W. Kromhout in Rotterdam, where he was further trained as an architect. In 1920 he rmoved to Groningen, where he set up his own office and joined the artist collective De Ploeg. That year he assisted his father at building a church in Munnekezijl.
Reitsma designed churches, mostly for his own denomination, as well as profane buildings and worked mostly in the north-eastern part of the country. Until ca. 1930 he designed in an Expressionist style, related to the Amsterdam School. The church in Andijk is a highlight of this period. After that, his work was influenced by the architecture of W.M. Dudok. An important work in this period is the sanatorium in Zuidlaren. A couple of years before the Second World War Reitsma started using a style related to that of the traditionalist Delft School. After the war, in which he temporarily quit architecture and started painting, he continued working in this style, but combined it with Functionalist elements. In 1950 his son L.H. Reitsma became his companion and their churches became more Functionalist in style.
Reitsma died in 1976 in Glimmen.

The following list covers Reitsma's churches only. It's possibly incomplete.

1920 Munnekezijl (Fr): Gereformeerde kerk

Designed mostly by L. Reitsma. Church in Rationalist style.

1924 Kollum (Fr): Gereformeerde kerk

Cruciform church in Expressionist style.

1924 Kollumerzwaag (Fr): Gereformeerde kerk

Cruciform church in moderate Expressionist style.

1926 Groningen (Gr): Gereformeerde Parklaankerk

Demolished in 1989.

1927 Renkum (G): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Expressionist style. Tower similar to the one in Kollum.

1927 Bilthoven (U): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Expressionist style. Enlarged in 1939 by an architect Lengkeek.

1928 Appingedam (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Expressionist style.

1928 Weesp (NH): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in rich Expressionist style. Destroyed by fire in 1968.

1930 Andijk (NH): Gereformeerde kerk

Large church in rich Expressionist style.

1931 Ijmuiden (NH): Gereformeerde kerk

Demolished in 1944 by order of the German army.

1931 Leeuwarden (Fr): Gereformeerde Pelikaankerk

Large church in a style inspired by the work of W.M. Dudok.

1937-1938 Bedum (Gr): Gereformeerde Noorderkerk

Cruciform centralizing church in Traditionalist style.

1949-1950 Glimmen (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Traditionalist style.

1950 Dinteloord (NB): Gereformeerde kerk

Cruciform church in Traditionalist style, with short tower at the front.

1950 Hulshorst (G): reformed chapel

Church in Traditionalist style.

1953 Onnen (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Traditionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1955 Groningen (Gr): Gereformeerde Goede Herderkerk

Church in combined Traditionalist and Functionalist styles.

1955 Geldermalsen (G): Gereformeerde kerk

Octagonal centralizing church in combined Traditionalist and Functionalist styles.

1955-1956 Apeldoorn (G): Gereformeerde Samuelkerk

Church in combined Traditionalist and Functionalist styles.

1958 Groningen (Gr): Gereformeerde Stadsparkkerk

Octagonal centralizing church in Functionalist style.

1958 Grootegast (Gr): Gereformeerde Goede Herderkerk

Octagonal centralizing church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1958 Scheemda (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Octagonal centralizing church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1959 Sebaldeburen (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Traditionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma. Now a house.

1960 Eelde-Paterswolde (Dr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma. Wall-like tower built of irregular pieces of natural stone.

1961 Borger (Dr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1962 Leeuwarden (Fr): Gereformeerde Salvatorkerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1962-1963 Doezum (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1964-1965 Loppersum (Gr): Gereformeerde kerk Hij is onze Vrede

Octagonal centralizing church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1966 Mijdrecht (U): church Gereformeerde Gemeenten

No details.

1967 Goor (Ov): Gereformeerde Ontmoetingskerk

Church in Functionalist style.

1967 Hoogezand (Gr): Gereformeerde Vredekerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

1967 Maartensdijk (U): Gereformeerde kerk

Church in Functionalist style. Designed in conjunction with L.H. Reitsma.

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