Sint Urbanuskerk, church building in Ouder-Amstel, Netherlands
Sint Urbanuskerk is a Neo-Gothic church in Ouder-Amstel built between 1865 and 1867 by renowned architect Pierre Cuypers. The building features red brick walls, soaring pointed arches, and a distinctive bell tower, while the interior is marked by soft light filtering through stained glass windows designed by Frans Nicolas and Heinrich Geuer.
The church was completed in 1867 following earlier makeshift gathering places such as the hidden church in the Vredebest farm and later the Buitenplaats Overkerk, where Catholics were forced to worship in secret during the Reformation period. Cuypers also designed the adjacent rectory, creating a unified ensemble that symbolized the return to open Catholic practice after 1853.
Sint Urbanuskerk has been a gathering place for the local Catholic community, especially after religious freedom was restored in the mid-1800s when open worship became possible again. Today the building hosts concerts and cultural events alongside services, making it a meeting point that welcomes everyone in the community.
The church sits at Achterdijk in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, easily reached on foot via a wooden bridge over the Bullewijk, and offers a striking silhouette when viewed from the waterside. The cemetery with old gravestones lies in a quiet green setting with trees and is freely accessible for walking.
The organ was built in 1878 by Jacobus J. Vollebregt, a celebrated organ builder from 's-Hertogenbosch, and still sounds today during services and performances with its warm tone. The ceiling painting shows the Lamb of God while the mosaic floor depicts the Geuzen flag, details that were restored to view during the 2017 renovation.
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