Gaslight flickered. The Nieuwe Waalse Kerk stands before us. Its stone whispers a story.
The Nieuwe Waalse Kerk a beautiful building on Keizersgracht canal. It’s a rare example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Amsterdam. It holds rijksmonument status. This means it is a nationally protected building. This important church has a fascinating past.
Originally built in 1856 the Nieuwe Waalse Kerk served the growing Huguenot community. The Huguenots were French Calvinists. Their original church was too small. So a new church the Nieuwe Waalse Kerk or Petite Eglise opened in 1719. It was in a disused bell foundry. In 1808 royal decree closed the church along with others.
The current building wasn’t easy. In 1841 Huguenots bought a house at Keizersgracht 676. They demolished it. Construction began in 1854. The architect A N Godefroy cleverly blended styles. Neoclassical and Romanesque Revival elements coexist. He also used innovative cast iron for chairs and gallery supports. A striking detail is the faux wood texture of the cast iron chairs.
Tragedy struck in 1861. Fire destroyed much of the interior. The roof collapsed. Yet remarkably the cast iron chairs survived. Godefroy oversaw the restoration. He maintained the church’s original design.
The Nieuwe Waalse Kerk’s story continues. It became the Artemis arts center in 1989. A new storey was added for dance and music studios. Today it’s office space for an advertising agency. Its transformation reflects Amsterdam’s ever-changing landscape. Yet the Nieuwe Waalse Kerk’s enduring presence remains a testament to its rich history. It stands as a symbol of faith adaptation and resilience.