The village was first mentioned in 1292 as Almekercke, and means "church on the Alm river".

[4] The polder mill Oude Doornse Molen was built around 1700.

In 1940 and 1944, the polder was inundated by the Dutch and German armies respectively, and Oude Doornse Molen later removed the water again.

The mill also removed the water after the North Sea flood of 1953.

[7] On the eastern edge of Almkerk, the motte of the former Altena Castle is visible from the road.