Imagine this a church transformed into a climbing hall. That’s the story of the Sint-Josephkerk. It stands on Erik de Roodestraat. This Amsterdam church has seen many lives.
The Sint-Josephkerk began as a vision in 1941. World War II delayed its construction. After the war Amsterdam expanded. This growth created a need for new churches. The Sint-Josephkerk became one of them.
G.H.M. Holt designed the Sint-Josephkerk. He drew inspiration from early Christian churches. He also looked at concrete buildings by the Perret brothers and Le Corbusier. His design faced initial objections. Changes were made and the plan moved forward in 1948. Architect K.P. Tholens also contributed.
Construction started in January 1950. The Sint-Josephkerk was consecrated on May 22 1952. Marius de Leeuw created its stained-glass windows and ceiling painting. For nearly forty years the Sint-Josephkerk served its parish.
By 1990 church attendance declined. The Sint-Josephkerk was deconsecrated. The Sint-Josephparochie continued. Its territory was divided among nearby parishes. These included the Sint-Augustinuskerk and the Chassékerk.
In 1995 Ballast Nedam bought the Sint-Josephkerk. They planned to demolish it. Local residents protested and the church found new life. From 1996 to 2012 Hans Zandvliet rented the Sint-Josephkerk. He transformed it into a climbing center named Tussen Hemel en Aarde.
In 2008 Mountain Network took over the climbing hall. In May 2012 they moved to a new location. From December 2012 to May 2013 the Sint-Josephkerk became Vluchtkerk. It sheltered asylum seekers. The new owner tolerated their stay.
In 2014 a major renovation began. In May 2016 the building reopened as a playground. It features slides a ball pit and a kart track. The original ceiling painting was restored. The new owner aims to create a meeting place for parents.
The Sint-Josephkerk is a recognized monument. It was added to the Top 100 Dutch monuments from 1940-1958. In 2010 it became a Rijksmonument a national monument. The Sint-Josephkerk stands as a testament to adaptation. It embodies community spirit and architectural ingenuity. A former church a climbing gym a shelter and now a playground. The Sint-Josephkerk continues to evolve.