Ottho Gerhard Heldring (17 May 1804 – 11 July 1876) was a Dutch preacher and philanthropist who believed in justification through faith but also in social work.

He acquired a reputation in literary circles for his simple and natural writing, with its expression of sympathy, contentment and piety.

In 1838 he published an influential book that made a convincing case through statistics for the devastating effects of gin and suggested measures to fight it.

From 1845–54 the Christelijke Vrienden (Christian Friends), inspired by what De Graaf has called an "orthodoxy of the heart", undertook an impressive program of social and church activities in which Heldring played a central role.

In 1845–46 Heldring worked hard to relieve the desperate conditions created by the potato blight through publicizing the problem and raising donations.

He also helped promote Protestant Christianity in the Dutch East Indies, and was the driving force behind creation of the Algemeen Christelijk Nationaal Zendingsfeest missionary society.

Heldring was supported by the Amsterdam Réveil circle, which established the Association for the Encouragement of Penitent Fallen Women in 1846.

The church was built on an artificial hill and had an attic that could be used as a refuge during the floods that periodically ravaged Betuwe at that time.