In the year 1825, when the great flood inundated whole Broek, men as well as cattle flied into the church, which lies so much higher and remained quite free of water.

By the exhalations of the cows, the cow-damp, has the wood been blemished and made dull at many places, chamois nor polish could help, the dullness remained." The church has beauties to set against the phenomenon of cow-damp, and among them a very elaborate carved pulpit in various preclious woods, and some fine lamps.
Ireland tells us that the front doors of many of Broek's houses are opened only twice in their owners' lives--when they marry and when they die.

For the rest the back door must serve.

The custom is not confined to Broek, but is found all over North Holland.

These ceremonial front doors are often very ornate.