The village was first mentioned in 1236 as "de Cambe", and probably means beer brewery. Chaam is a road village which developed in the Middle Ages. The Dutch Reformed church was a gothic church from the 16th century. After the destruction on 28 October 1944 by the Germans, only a part was reconstructed. Of the richly decorated tower, only the pear-shared spire and the bell from 1392 could be saved, and a new tower could not be financed; however, it has been placed next to the church. The Catholic Saint Anthony Abt was built in 1925 and 1926. Its tower was blown up in 1944 as well. It was restored and enlarged in 1948, and has been made to resemble the tower of the Dutch Reformed church. Chaam was a separate municipality until 1997, when it was merged with
Alphen. == Demographics ==