Alphen was first mentioned in 709,[3] when a nobleman named Engelbrecht sold "Alfheim" to Saint Willibrord.

[4] Alphen was originally a collection of hamlets which started to concentrate around the church.

The earliest church dated from the 16th century and had a tower which was built around 1559.

[5] In 1542, Alphen was burned to the ground by the army of Guelders under Maarten van Rossum, and in 1944, it suffered from destruction and looting as well.

[6] Alphen includes the hamlets of 't Zand, Alphen-Oosterwijk, Druisdijk, Looneind, Boslust, Hondseind, Het Sas, Terover, Boshoven and Kwaalburg.