Lutherans from northern Europe fled to Holland, escaping the calamity caused by the religious wars enveloping that part of the world in the 18th century.

Seeking a place to freely practice their beliefs a group of these refugees banded together to construct a simple yet elegant church in the town of Hoorn. The centerpiece of the Lutheran Church at Hoorn was an ornate organ, built in the 17th century by Pieter Muller, son of a renowned organ builder.  The Grand Circle Foundation assisted the Friends of Lutheran Church at Hoorn in their initiative to renovate this historic landmark. The foundation’s support was used to completely restore the organ, replacing its decaying wooden pipes and providing new bellows.