Hiding Place Der Aa Church

After the German occupation of the city of Groningen investigated the Germans at the church for a good sermon on Sunday, but the Reformed congregation wanted to keep its own services on Sunday. The solution was two services on Sunday, that therefore both were full because of the run of German believers and population density of the city of Groningen. The church was in a sensitive area: the Folkingestraat, Jewish shopping centre and Nieuwstad, Groningens prostitution area. Around the church stood shops of Zwartsenberg and Gombert, who were actively used in the resistance.

The church was empty during the week and was used as a residence for hiding people and stranded pilots. They found their shelter in the sexton's house, above the vaults of the church itself and the Schnitger organ. In the pulpit was a radio hidden.
After the liberation it was used by the Canadians as protitution house.

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Source

• Text: Bert Deelman
• Photos: Bert Deelman
• Jeroen Wielaert - Oorlogspad