Gazing upon De Goede Herder, what stories do these walls conceal? De Goede Herder, or The Good Shepherd, stands as a testament to modern religious architecture in Amsterdam. Its history is rich with artistic expression and community spirit. Let’s delve into the captivating story of this church.
De Goede Herder was established as a new Roman Catholic parish in Buitenveldert in 1961. The church building itself was inaugurated on October 26, 1968. Architect A.F. Brenninkmeyer designed De Goede Herder. He created an interesting, simple hall church, symbolically shaped like a tent. This unique design reflects the post-Vatican II era. This period saw a move towards simplification in Roman Catholic liturgy and church construction.
One of the most striking features of De Goede Herder is its stained-glass windows. These windows bring warmth and atmosphere to the interior. The stained-glass behind the altar is particularly noteworthy. Jaap Min, a renowned artist from Bergen, designed it in 1968. He collaborated with the Bogtman NV stained-glass studio. The window is abstract. It features bright and vibrant colors. Its many white sections ensure the window remains light and transparent. Straight and semi-curved lines suggest a flying dove. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This window set the tone for the glazing of all the windows representing creation.
Later, in 2000, Jaap Min’s daughter, Annet Min, created a new design above the existing window. She created it from her father’s color copies. This addition represents the Father and the Son. The resulting Trinity adds a new dimension to the Holy Spirit window. The lines from the lower window extend upwards. They enclose the center, the eye, the Father, in red, rose, and blue colors. White shades represent light, air, and transparency symbolizing the Son. The Holy Spirit moves in a circular motion. It moves upward toward the Father. All the space unites as the Son. The Father and the Son complete the Holy Spirit as the Trinity.
As you enter De Goede Herder, notice the two other significant windows. The north window depicts Michael in predominantly brown-red tones. He is lying down with his feet towards the choir. Michael means: Who is like God. He directly sees the face of God. He is the Warrior. The Defender. He spreads his wings over the world to restore balance. A sword symbolizes him. It is depicted vertically over his left shoulder.
On the right, the south window features the angel Raphael. Predominantly blue colors fill the window. Raphael means: God heals. Raphael stands for Mercy. The window also depicts symbolic attributes. These are a fish and a red bowl with gall.
The closing window, Heaven and Earth, serves as an apotheosis of colors. It combines colors from all the windows. It provides closure to the other windows in the church. Diagonal lines intersect the airspace. The open white space encompasses all life between heaven and earth.
De Goede Herder also houses an orgel with a rich history. The Flaes & Brünjes firm in Amsterdam built it in 1867. It originally served in the Kleine Kerk in Gouda. In 1968, the J Vermeulen firm from Alkmaar purchased the orgel for De Goede Herder. Albert de Klerk described it as a fine two-manual organ with pedals.
In recent years, De Goede Herder has also provided temporary shelter to the Protestant Pelgrimskerk congregation. This happened during the Pelgrimskerk’s closure and planned demolition.
De Goede Herder stands not only as a place of worship. It also stands as a beacon of artistic expression and community collaboration. Its stained-glass windows and historic orgel offer a glimpse into the past. They offer a vibrant experience for all who enter. The church embodies the spirit of Amsterdam. It is open and welcoming to all. De Goede Herder is a testament to faith, art, and community.