Sights
Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady)
The Onze Lieve Vrouwe Kerk (Church of Our Lady) is also known as the Keizersgrachtkerk. This neo-gothic church was built between 1852 and 1854, and is used for services by the Syrian Orthodox community, the Surinamese Roman Catholic community and the general Roman-Catholic community.
Architecture
The church’s architect was Theo Molkenboer, who was a leading architect in the northern part of the Netherlands. The Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk is thought to be his best work. It was the first church he ever designed based on the principles of classical gothic construction.
Changing function
As the numbers of Catholics dwindled in Amsterdam, the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk and its convent were put up for sale. The church was purchased by the Syrian Orthodox Church in 1985. As the church interior met the requirements of the Syrian Orthodox liturgy, the original layout of the church was left intact.
