How the Urbanuskerk in Amstelveen reopened its doors 4 years after a devastating fire

The Urbanuskerk in Amstelveen, which was heavily damaged by fire four years ago, is once again in use. “One thing was certain, the church had to continue to exist,” says the church, which was officially rededicated today.

Laurens Niezen / NH News

More than four years ago, a devastating fire took place in the Urbanuskerk in Amstelveen. The Catholic Church had to be almost completely rebuilt. Only the skeleton was still standing.

Rededication

December last year Christmas already took place. In the months that followed, the church was used little by little. But the official inauguration can only take place when the church has been consecrated by the pastor and/or bishop.

The reconstruction could only continue with sufficient financial support. It soon came – to the delight of many churchgoers. Through many initiatives and fundraising campaigns in recent years, the church has been restored. Volunteers, the pastor and visitors: the church attracted a lot of attention today. That was not for nothing, because today the rededication took place. NH took a look.

NH made the podcast series Brand in de Urbanus, about the fierce fire on September 15, 2018 and its aftermath. Reporter Celine Sulsters takes you to the day of the fire and speaks with those involved, such as pastor Eugène Jongerden and the officer on duty at the fire brigade, Rik Jonkman.

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