“First and foremost, it is of course a place of worship,” says Pastor Nico van der Peet. For example, it is the place where all Catholic church services are held and where the annual St. John’s procession starts.
“But we don’t just try to be there for the Catholic Laarders.” For example, there are also classical concerts and the region’s annual educational conference is held in the Basilica. “As long as it’s appropriate.”
Volunteers put the Basilica in the spotlight
In 1925, the neo-Gothic Basilica by architect Wolter was completed in Riele. But ten years later, repairs were already needed.
It was the volunteers from Laren who took care of this, on free Saturdays with sponsored material. This is explained by Karel Loeff, chairman of the Heemschut Heritage Association and faction leader of Laren’s largest party Larens Behoud. “It had to be a church for the people.”
And a hundred years later, it is the same Laren community that will put their Basilica in the spotlight in the jubilee year of 2025.
For example, Toppop presenter and BL’er Ad Visser came up with a musical tribute, and classical concerts were held by top conductor Ton Koopman, among others. There was also a high mass at which the new altar was inaugurated and residents and entrepreneurs donated a brand new, luminous clock and glass wall that should ensure that the church doors can remain open longer.
The latter will be installed next year. And it doesn’t stop there.
Book released
On Thursday afternoon the Basilica will fill up again with Laarders. This time not for a church service, but for a book presentation. Over the past year, Loeff, together with Leo Janssen and Mariëtte Nieuwboer, worked on a 224-page book called ‘De Sint Jan van Laren – from construction to Basilica’.
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