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The Mother of God Church Amsterdam

A place of faith, reflection, and spiritual peace

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Prayer Times

Saturday Vespers: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM

Sunday Holy Mass: 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Introduction​

The Mother of God Church is a spiritual community rooted in faith, tradition, and devotion. In a world that moves ever faster, it offers a place of silence, prayer, and inner reflection.

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Contact Details​

info@moedergodskerk.nl
+31 6 14 23 40 21

Our Location

We are located at Keizersgracht 220,
1016 EE Amsterdam

The Mother of God Church

The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, officially known as the Church of Our Lady and popularly called the Mother of God Church (Syriac: ܥܕܬܐ ܕܝܠܕܬ ܐܠܗܐ, Ito dYoldath Aloho), is a neo-Gothic church building located at Keizersgracht 220 in Amsterdam. The church is owned by the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and is still used today by multiple faith communities.

Origin and Consecration

The Mother of God Church was founded as a chapel attached to the monastery of the Redemptorist Fathers at Keizersgracht 218. This monastery was one of the first monasteries established in Holland since the Reformation and was consecrated on 5 November 1850.
The first stone of the church, which was built next to the monastery, was laid on 18 April 1853. The church was put into use on 21 November 1854. Construction took place during the period 1852–1854.

Architecture

The church building was designed by architect Theo Molkenboer and executed as a non-oriented cruciform basilica in neo-Gothic style. The church is regarded as a highlight within Molkenboer’s oeuvre and forms a striking example of neo-Gothic church architecture in Amsterdam.

Mission and Vision

Preserving, living, and passing on the apostolic faith tradition through liturgy, prayer, and devotion is our mission, whereby we are a living church that connects tradition and contemporary context. With special attention to youth, service, and respect.

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Role within Roman Catholic Amsterdam

Since its foundation, the Church of Our Lady has held a special position within Roman Catholic life in Amsterdam. The church was never a parish church but functioned as a general auxiliary church. From this church, the Redemptorist Fathers gave a powerful impulse to the emancipation of Roman Catholics. They introduced and promoted various devotions and religious practices, including the veneration of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” and the “Sacred Heart,” as well as a number of religious customs that had fallen into disuse. The solemn celebrations, rich decorations, and intensive religious practice attracted large numbers of faithful. For many Catholic residents of Amsterdam, the church became an important support in their spiritual life.
For many years, the church was also the confessional church of Amsterdam.

A Shared House of Prayer

With the transfer to the Syriac Orthodox Church, the building received a new and broader meaning. The church officially received the name Mother of God Church. After the departure of the Redemptorists, the church was opened to Catholic services. To this day, the building is shared in good harmony by the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic community, and the Surinamese Catholic community. This cooperation between the three faith communities proceeds optimally. Because the church building meets the liturgical requirements of both the Catholic and the Syriac Orthodox Church, the interior has remained unchanged.
Since this “rebirth,” the number of churchgoers has grown again.

Restoration and Preservation

In 1989 and 1990, the Syriac Orthodox Church commissioned inspections by an engineering firm to assess the structural condition of the building. Years of penetrating moisture had led to severe deterioration of the construction. In particular, the roof and façades were in poor to very poor condition, and in some places dangerous situations arose for churchgoers and passersby.
In order to preserve the church for present and future generations, a decision was made to undertake a major restoration. The work began on 17 January 1994.

 

Decline and Transfer​

After more than a century of Catholic prosperity, a strong decline in religious life also occurred in Amsterdam. The decreasing number of Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers, as well as the limited influx of priests, led the Redemptorists to end their activities at Keizersgracht.
In 1984, both the church and the monastery were sold. In May 1985, the church was purchased by the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. Because the Syriac Orthodox community was financially unable to acquire the monastery as well, it came into the hands of a real estate company.

Restoration of Paintings and Reopening

For the restoration of the wall and ceiling paintings, an innovative computer technique was developed. Based on photographs of the original representations and motifs, machine-cut stencils were produced. These made it possible to accurately reapply the decorations to walls and vaults.
The restoration work was completed at the end of 1996 and the beginning of 1997. During this period, the church was visited by the late His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.