Every day Jenny van Wijk (79) stands between hundreds of Maria statues, candles and silver crosses behind the counter of her religious store in the Kerkstraat in Den Bosch. She has been running the business for more than fifty years. And she is busier than ever, because her store is the last religious art trade of this size in the Netherlands. “As long as I can do something for people, I will continue to do this.” The summer series De Kerkstraat is today from Den Bosch.
Opposite the Sint-Janskathedral in Den Bosch, Jenny’s parents started a small shop in ninety years ago. They sold religious objects to Bosschenaren and church visitors. Jenny grew up among the wooden statues and silver crosses. “I know no better than the store is in the family,” she says.
About fifty years ago, Jenny Kunsthandel took over the St. Jansbasiliek from her parents. Ten years later she moved to the current location in Kerkstraat, near the Cathedral. “I have been raised religiously and believe that these objects really mean something to people,” she says. “Without that faith I couldn’t do this work.”
“I take the time to really listen”
The 79-year-old owner is still between hundreds of religious items every day. “I notice that people here not only come to buy something, but also really want to get rid of their story. They are looking for a place where they are heard, something that is increasingly rarer nowadays,” says Jenny. “I take the time to really listen. And if I can give them something that enriches their lives, that means a lot to me.”
Jenny’s store has since become the last religious art trade of this size, with a range that cannot be found anywhere else. “I have selected everything in the store myself and is often made especially for our store,” says Jenny proudly. From wooden statues and angels to nativity scenes.
“People have more and more worries and are looking for something that offers support.”
Because Jenny is the only one with such a unique offer, visitors from all over the country and even abroad come to her art trade. “People have more and more worries because of everything that happens in the world. For example, because of the wars in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine. They are looking for something that offers support and often find it in faith.”
The owner is increasingly busy in her art trade. This is also because more and more customers are coming to Jenny without a religious background, or with a different faith. “In the past, Christians came to the store for a cross or a statue of Mary. Now people are looking for something that fits their story. For example, a statue that exudes strength, or something symbolic for someone who retires or has succeeded for an education. People want something tangible, but without the faith being on top of it.”
“I want to work here for the rest of my life.”
It is precisely the personal stories and contact with her customers that Jenny give the power to be in the store every day. That is becoming increasingly difficult because her health is slowly deteriorating. She runs difficult, is tired faster and quickly gets out of breath. “But as soon as I’m in the store, it seems like I can walk and stand a little easier,” she says. “It gives me energy.”
The 79-year-old owner does not think about stopping. “I don’t know how long I have, but no longer working in the store, I would really find it very much,” she says emotionally. “I prefer to continue working here for the rest of my life.”
Kerkstraat
There is a Kerkstraat in every municipality in Brabant. Brabanders live in that street with beautiful stories.
Together with the regional broadcasters DTV Nieuws, Zuidwest TV, Studio040 and Omroep Tilburg we tell a story of a special Brabander from Kerkstraat for nine days.