Oentsjerk

The village was first mentioned in 1408 as Ontzerka, and means "church of Oene (person)".^[4] Oentsjerk developed in the Middle Ages on a sandy ridge. Later, it was extended along the Leeuwarden to Dokkum road.^[5]

The Protestant church was built in 1230 as a replacement of a 12th-century predecessor. It has been enlarged and altered multiple times and restored between 1974 and 1976.^[5]

Several estates were built near Oentsjerk, however only Stania State has remained. Eysinga State has become a retirement home.^[6] The stins Stania State was probably built in the 16th century. The current estate dates from 1843. Around 1520, it was turned into a castle-like building. In 1546, it became a property of the van Heemstra family who owned it for two centuries, but let it deteriorate. In 1738, it was demolished. In 1843, a new manor house by Looxma who had made a fortune in oil mills. A large garden designed by Lucas Roodbaard [nl] is laid out. In the 1930s, it became a youth hostel, conference centre and contained an outpost of the Fries Museum. In the 1970s, it was bought by the municipality who later sold it a company as an office building.^[7]

Oentsjerk was home to 441 people in 1840.^[6] In the late-20th century it became a commuter's village.^[8]

• The Protestant church of Oentsjerk

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  Pub in Oentsjerk
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  House in Oentsjerk
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  Stania State
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  Agricultural training centre