The church was built in the years 1620–1623 to serve the rapidly growing population of the new
Jordaan neighbourhood. The Jordaan already had a church, the
Westerkerk, but the city government decided that a second church should be built to serve the northern part of the neighbourhood. The Noorderkerk became the church for the common people, while the Westerkerk was used mainly by the middle and upper classes. The church was restored in the period 1993–1998. The small tower was restored in 2003–2004 and the organ, built in 1849 by H. Knipscheer, was restored in 2005. The bell tower was built in 1621 by J. Meurs. In 1941, organisers of the
February Strike held illicit public meetings on Noordermarkt, the square around the church. This is commemorated by a plaque on the south face of the church. The church gained
rijksmonument (national monument) status in 1970. == Gallery ==