Historical Sites

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Bakkerstraat

A view from Bakkerstraat. A small street, English Pilgrimstreet, on the other side of the square, has been closed, with a building having been erected.

East India Bakehouse

The early Baptists gathered for worship in 1609 in part of the East India Bakehouse, in Bakkerstraat, a building owned by a Mennonite Jan Munter. This was probably located behind the present-day Amstel Street 120 (shown here). The group included Thomas Helwys and John Smyth.

Exploring early Baptist history

Exploring early Baptist history in the Mennonite Archives in Amsterdam City University. From right to left: Tony Peck, Ian Randall, Anne de Vries, Adriaan Plack and Toivo Pilli.

In Singelkerk

In Singelkerk, a Mennonite church building dating from the early 17^th century, a visitor finds a list of names of early leaders. Thomas Helwys and John Smyth are mentioned in this list or "family tree".

Old engraving

An old engraving from the Singelkerk Mennonite Church depicts an Anabaptist communion service in the church.

The New Church

The New Church, next to the Town Square of Amsterdam, is today a museum. John Smyth is probably buried here, though we do not know the exact location of his grave.

The present Mennonite Singelkerk

The present Mennonite Singelkerk. The building was erected in 1608-1609, the same period when the Smyth and Helwys group gathered in Bakkerstraat in the East India Bakehouse.