Bethlehemkerk

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

A CHURCH BUILDING erected in 1923-1924 with a vestry built to the west, constructed for the Dutch Reformed Congregation; the so-called Bethlehemkerk. Situated entirely freestanding on the Zwanenplein. The first pile was driven in August 1923; the church was opened on 13 September 1924. Commemorative stone in the western facade. The client, the "Association for Reformed District Interests north of the IJ" founded in 1916, engaged architect A. Moen in January 1919. The church was built in the style of the Amsterdam School. Architect Moen had to take account of the surrounding residential building in determining the height of construction. The opening of the church took place in the presence of Queen Wilhelmina. On this occasion she presented the church with a pulpit Bible.

N.B. Today the building serves as a home to the Full Gospel Congregation.

Description

Small, freestanding, brick church building on a symmetrical, composite rectangular ground plan. The whole is covered by an assembly of gabled roofs with anthracite-coloured straight-laid tiles. Wooden gutter moulding. The middle section of the church building is raised higher. Ridge with verges. On the east side of this ridge a brick bell turret. Brick moulding, projecting bricks and vertical sound hole and short brick roll moulding. At the top an encircling bell holder with three horizontal accents. Top of the bell turret has a rectangular cresting with likewise three horizontal accents. Encircling bell holder and top of bell turret are clad in lead. The transition of roof section with bell turret and western superstructure is sealed with lead slabs. On both the northern and southern central roof sections there are simple roof dormers at the very bottom on both right and left sides. Each with triple window, wooden frames and right termination.

Both the northern and southern central roof sections are interrupted by a three-part leaded glass window, in the manner of a transept window, with diagonal-arch surround. On the east side of the middle section a lower extension with a pointed gable on the east side. Top of the pointed gable crowned with a flat three-sided cresting. Horizontal brick band formed at right angles to the roofline. In the top of the pointed gable a natural stone plaquette with pentagram containing the letters alpha and omega and the Chi-Rho sign. Facade panel with projecting brick headers.

Brick accents on the corners. In the middle of the facade panel a multi-part and symmetrical window arrangement. Two nine-pane windows flank a narrow and taller window. Original moulding. Central entrance arrangement with double French doors with diagonal moulding. Low brick wings on either side with capping plate. Brick ornamentally worked in meanders. Panel with vertically laid bricks. Dark-running ash frame. Brick projection as cordon moulding above entrance arrangement and running around the entire eastern extension.

Both side facades of the eastern extension have four windows, three of which are coupled. Cross-shaped tracery. The middle volume contains on either side of the eastern extension another narrow double window with brick mullion.

On the west side of the middle volume a lower extension with a pointed gable on the west side. Cresting and band below roofline identical to the eastern extension. Also brick accents on the corners and projection as cordon moulding and dark-running ash frame. In the middle a triple window with each nine-pane glazing bars. On the ground floor a centrally placed wide and shallow oriel-like extension. Five-part window with six-pane or four-pane glazing bars with side light and tilting window. Further flag pole and flag pole support. The right side facade of this extension shows on the left side a window with six-pane glazing bars with side light and three-pane tilting light. On the left a simple window.

The left side facade of this extension has on the right a door with fanlight and a simple stoop with two steps. On the left a door with brick parapet and six-pane side window. The south facade of the higher raised middle volume of the church contains on left and right a block-shaped extension. The right extension has a door on the short side and three windows on the long side. The windows have diamond-shaped tracery. Wide white frieze with weakly moulded cornices. The left extension has a door on the short side and two windows on the long side. Windows have diamond-shaped tracery. Between the two extensions a low brick and stepped parapet, above which the large church window. At the top an ornamented cresting. The north facade of the higher raised middle volume of the church is virtually identical to the south facade.

Both windows of the left extension still have the original tracery.

Interior

The central church space has a high parabolic roof truss structure with collar ties. The leaded glass windows were made by J.W. Winkelman. The windows on the long sides of the church depict 'the Annunciation to the Shepherds' and 'the Wise Men from the East' and the window on the gallery above the main entrance shows the cross motif.

Further in the church, among other things, a substantial pulpit and geometrically ornamented woodcarving on staircase handrail, doors and on the balcony. Also still present are the original lamps with triple copper lamp shades, as well as the wooden pews. The vestry on the western side contains, among other things, a fitted cabinet wall.

Valuation

Bethlehemkerk with associated interior components and vestry in Amsterdam School style of general importance due to architectural and cultural-historical value. Also of importance in the oeuvre of A. Moen, as well as of importance due to situational and ensemble value through its freestanding position in a planted area in the Vogelbuurt.