Kerk, Ambonplein 61

English translation

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Description

Introduction

Former Roman Catholic CHURCH (1) from 1923-1926, named Gerardus Majella and built according to the principle of centralized design, forming part of the Gerardus Majellakerk complex. Built according to a design by architect J. Stuyt, constructed in a style inspired by early Christian basilica design with neo-Romanesque characteristics in the detailing. The church, originally with 1400 seats, is oriented approximately east-west. The church was converted in 1992-1993 into office, archive and business space. The high central part under the dome is largely intact. Originally the church had painted decorations and wall paintings (for example on the spandrels and pendentives) with biblical scenes. The iconographic programme was possibly designed by architect Jan Stuyt. The paintings were probably executed by Jan Oosterman. These wall paintings are now overpainted.

Description

The church building on a complex cruciform ground plan is dominated by the high twelve-sided pitched roof above the interior dome with slate and topped with ball and cross. The masonry constructed in reddish-brown brick in running bond has large round windows towards the dome edge and whitewashed open fretwork plasterwork and threefold neo-Romanesque window series and cornices and indentation at the attachment to the dome ridges. Three bands in brown brick at the lower side of the facade surfaces. Furthermore also whitewashed water drip moulds, arris edges, friezes and rising ornamental mouldings with toothed motif under the facade termination and rendered continuous drip moulds above the stretcher courses of the arched or round windows. The eastern situated short transept arms have lower and similar-form extensions under gabled roofs with slate and furthermore provided with an ambulatory with pairs of radiating chapels. On the east side the priest's choir under gabled roof with spout with bell-cote. The church is terminated on this side with a five-sided main apse with ornamental brickwork and arched windows and with half-spire with slate. Furthermore a slender stair-tower with slight projection and spire. On the west side is the main entrance section with bronze doors. From the central space under the dome a nave leads with among others large round windows and two series of five three-sided roof dormers to the west structure with lower intermediate section with large and simply geometrically articulated rose window above which whitewashed spout with cover and niche in which round-bosses image of St. Gerardus Majella, towards the lower situated portal under broad encircling semicircular frieze and with spout gable and steps with access doors. Both on the north side and the south side of the central dome a side entrance with short steps and double door with original hardware and covering and in frame with white moulding and semicircular pediment. These side entrances are located in a lower portal at the gable end of an equally short but higher transept arm. In the lower storeys there are rectangular windows; on the higher storey arched and often coupled windows. On both sides of the main entrance section in the west there is originally fencing on rendered footing and between posts with natural stone accents and with gate under rendered arch on the left side. The southern side entrance has original fencing on footing with posts with cross motif and with double swing gate. The central nave under compressed vault is internally plastered and provided with wall arches; ambulatory is separated from the central space by alternately placed rectangular pillars and tapering columns. The columns have a cubic capital and carry articulated arch drums. Above the large round windows wave-form grouped coupled spandrels. Above this a narrow gallery above which the twelve series of three windows. Dome with twelve fields in vault with geometric and painted decoration with centrally star motif with cross.

Valuation

Former church dating from 1923-1926 of general importance due to architectural-historical and typological value. Also of cultural-historical value as an illustration of societal developments within Catholicism, whereby ecclesiastical and school buildings were concentrated. Furthermore ensemble value in spatial and historical-functional sense with the other complex components as part of the Gerardus Majella complex.