The renowned Dutch Renaissance architect Hendrick de Keyser constructed the 'Southern Church' in Amsterdam in 1611. It was the first Protestant church ever built in the city, although its design still retained elements of Catholicism, such as the absence of a choir. The last service to be held in the church was in 1929. During the harrowing period of the 'Hunger Winter' of World War II, the church was utilized as a funeral home.