Protestant Churches in Amsterdam and Bruges

If no one on this board can offer suggestions, a visit to the tourist office in each city will surely give you churches nearest to wherever you will be staying. Even your hotel could help.

We have a Methodist background but often go to the big cathedral - generally Catholic, for the show and the music. I am not going to understand the service anyway so I just go and listen.

www.protestantchurch.nl
www.protestantsamsterdam.nl

Since the sermon will be in the language of each city, the denomination doesn't appear to be important. Unless you speak the language.

I have attended church services in several countries;I always search for English speaking churches instead of denomination churches.

Most large cities these days, will have a few churches with English speaking congregations. The native English speaking populations are increasing, so churches are going to cater to that. Amsterdam, especially will offer this. Checking with the tourist board is a good idea. Often congregations will share a church, with services being offered at different times of the day. I would imagine that Brugge too, will have something on offer.

In Amsterdam, I'd recommend Westerkirk (West Church). I cannot remember if they had an English service. However the church is very near the Anne Frank House and you can check the service times on your way to or from that site.

A website describing the church is here:
http://www.westerkerk.nl/index.php?page=welkom-en

The church is in a residential neighborhood along Prinsengracht street. After service, you can continue along Prinsengracht to several nice restaurants in Haarlemmerstraat (The Rick Steves' guidebook can give you specifics).

Hi, Heather. I think the Bavo Kerk in Haarlem is one of the best cathedrals in Europe:

http://www.bavo.nl/bladen/welkomgemeente.htm town.

It is only 15mins from Amsterdam, and a 10 min walk from the train station. In my personal opinion, it is far more impressive than the churches in Amsterdam, and Haarlem also makes a nice side trip.

It also has one of the most impressive pipe organs on the planet. If you love church music, I would highly recommend. Yes, those are 32' pipes in the big towers.

http://www.bavo.nl/bladen/orgel.htm

Many thanks to you all for your responses. Very helpful!