What if I told you that this apartment complex was once a church? This is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk. It translates to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church. Today, it’s hard to imagine that this building on Aalbersestraat was a place of worship.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk has an interesting past. The parish was founded in 1954. This was for the new Geuzenveld neighborhood. Pater M. Nillesen was the building pastor. Initially, the community used two temporary churches.
Construction began in November 1958. Bishop Van Dodewaard consecrated the church on March 19, 1960. Architect H.P.J. de Vries designed the three-aisled basilica. It featured a clock tower with three bells. These bells were named Wilhelmus, Henricus and Martinus.
Wilhelmus was named after the general of the Crusaders. Henricus was named after the then provincial of the order. Martinus was named after pastor Nillesen.
The parish of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk flourished. In 1962, about 3000 people attended services each Sunday. There were approximately 45 altar servers and 16 acolytes.
Besides the church, a monastery for the Crusader fathers was built. It was also designed by H.P.J. de Vries. The sisters of the Divine Providence taught at the girls’ and kindergarten. The brothers of St. Louis taught at the boys’ school.
The men’s church choir ‘Credo’ was founded. It changed its name to ‘Cantare bis Orare’.
However, the church’s life as a religious center was not to last. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk closed in 1993. It was then converted into an apartment complex. The exterior was preserved. The facade and clock tower remain. The Catholic community merged into the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Lourdeskerk.
Before the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk was built, the community met in temporary churches. One was in a garage on Pieter van de Werfstraat. A second, larger wooden church was built on the site of the current schoolyard. Parishioners remember those early days fondly.
Pastor Nillesen left in June 1966. He became rector of a hospital in Kleef. Pater F. Hulskamp succeeded him.
In March 1963, the boys’ and girls’ schools opened. The monastery opened in October 1964. In November 1983, the monastery became Stichting De Brug. It was a living room for the elderly.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Zeven Smartenkerk stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s ever-changing landscape. It is a reminder that even the most sacred spaces can find new life. So, next time you pass by, remember the church bells that once rang out here.