Location: Dorpskerk Bathmen – NL / Supplier: Offex projectinrichters / Photography: Chris van Koeverden

Dorpskerk Bathmen – NL

In the centre of Bathmen (NL) stands the iconic, monumental Dorpskerk. Evidence shows that this church was already being built in the first half of the 13th century. Over the centuries, the church has been expanded and restored several times making it future-proof. In order to allow a wider audience to enjoy the centuries-old monument, the building has been opened for art and cultural events in addition to the Sunday service for many decades.

Since 2017, the possibilities for renting out and organising events has been increased by replacing the existing pews with chairs. The existing furniture no longer fitted into the new plans, it was impractical and did not meet modern safety requirements. The pews offered little flexibility and the rush seats had had their day. In addition, they could not be linked or stacked.

Together with Cultuurhuus Braakhekke, the Dorpskerk Bathmen forms the cultural heart of Bathmen. For this reason, collaboration was sought in the purchase of new chairs. Offex Kerkinrichting advised both parties in their choice of the right chair.

Working group
Some church administrators, members of the board of the foundation Friends of the monument Dorpskerk Bathmen, voluntary sexton, cleaners of the Dorpskerk, caretaker, members of the board of Cultuurhuus Braakhekke and members of the community have formed a working group together. Part of the working group visited the Kerkenbeurs (Churches Fair in NL) to get a first impression of the many possibilities in church furniture.

Subsequently, a list of priorities was compiled, for which all of the workgroup members provided input. The most important points turned out to be practicality, easy to move, easy to clean and a firm but comfortable seat for the average visitor. An extra emphasis was placed on an easy and safe way of linking the chairs, because they are often changed from one setup to another. It is nice when this can be done quickly and with minimal effort.

In total, the working group extensively tested around 20 chairs from various suppliers. Chairs that link with the German linking standard were also offered, but the Dutch fire brigade declared them unsuitable. In order to guarantee safety in churches, chairs with 100 or more seats must be linked. The Building Regulations refer to the European standard NEN-EN-14703 for the safe use of linked auditorium chairs.

Visit on location
André Olden of the working group visited Casala Lynx chairs in a number of Dutch churches. He attended a service in the Oude Kerk in Maasland (NL) and then spoke extensively with the sexton and church warden about the choice of chair. In retrospect, this visit was decisive in the final choice of the Lynx chair.

‘Attending a service on Casala Lynx chairs in the Oude Kerk of Maasland (NL) was decisive in the choice of this chair’.

André Olden – Chairman of the Board of Church Trustees

Mutual exchange of furniture
Dorpskerk Bathmen and Cultuurhuus Braakhekke have chosen the same type of chair with a different seat shell. This allows both locations to retain their own unique look but also makes it possible to exchange chairs. In the Dorpskerk there are Lynx chairs with a wooden seat shell, armrests, royal blue upholstery and a hymnbook holder under the seat.

The colour choice of the wooden seat shell takes into account existing elements such as the pulpit, the new liturgical furniture and the organ. The royal blue upholstery gives a powerful, timeless and clear impression which matches the upholstery of the chairs in the coffee corner.

Cultuurhuus Braakhekke has chosen Lynx chairs with and without armrests and plastic seat shells in anthracite and orange, with an upholstered seat. The house style colours were crucial in making the choice.

‘Because of Covid-19, the Casala Lynx chairs have been presented online to our congregation members.’

André Olden – Chairman of the Board of Church Trustees

At home in the church
The chairs were delivered to the church in November 2020. Due to Covid-19 no services have taken place yet. André Olden says that it is understandable, but also very unfortunate that the church members could not see the new chairs. However, a creative solution was quickly found. The Casala Lynx chairs were presented in an online broadcast of ‘At home in the church’; the program that the Protestant Community of Bathmen-Okkenbroek makes every Tuesday evening for church members and broadcasts live from the Dorpskerk. The members of the congregation were included in the selection process and were introduced to the chair. Hopefully the new chairs will be put into use soon and the church members can experience the functionality and comfort for themselves.