Picture this: a vibrant stained-glass window bathed in sunlight. This is the Ontmoetingskerk in Amsterdam. Its story begins not with a grand inauguration but a humble beginning as the Dutch Reformed Church “De Hoeksteen”. Built in 1961 by architect P Zanstra it was a modern marvel. Its striking design included colourful windows. A distinctive tower once marked its presence. Sadly it was demolished around 1980 due to structural issues.
The Ontmoetingskerk wasn’t always the Ontmoetingskerk. In the 1980s as part of the “Samen Op Weg” movement the Reformed Church “De Olijftak” joined “De Hoeksteen”. This union forged a stronger community. Their shared faith bound them together.
Then came a significant renovation. From late 2005 to late March 2006 the interior of De Hoeksteen was transformed. Old pews gave way to modern chairs. During this renovation the local Protestant church congregation temporarily worshipped in the Gereformeerde Sionskerk. That church is now a mosque a testament to Amsterdam’s changing religious landscape.
On March 26 2006 De Hoeksteen was reborn. It was renamed De Ontmoeting the Meeting Place. A fitting name for a church that had already seen many mergers and collaborations.
However the Ontmoetingskerk’s journey didn’t end there. In 2019 the building was sold to a Baptist church. The PKN congregation moved to a new location. Today De Ontmoeting continues its legacy. It remains a place of worship a symbol of Amsterdam’s enduring spirit. Its history mirrors the city’s own dynamic transformation. It’s a tale of adaptation and community a living testament to faith and change. A place where different groups have met and worshipped. A place where the past and present intertwine. This is the Ontmoetingskerk a vibrant heart of Amsterdam’s story.