Churches in Brabant are emptying, being sold or even demolished. But in Breda a new, larger church is being built, because otherwise they would not be able to accommodate the increasing number of followers. It is about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are popularly referred to as Mormons, a name the followers prefer not to use.
“The name Mormons refers to our translation of the Book of Mormon, but we are followers of Christ and it is important to us that His name appears in the name of our faith,” said Lucy Boom. She has just returned from a year of missionary work in Poland, helping Ukrainian refugees.
The church community is growing, both in the south of the Netherlands and in Flanders. The current church on Monsignor de Vetstraat in Breda is even too small to accommodate all fellow believers. That is why a new church is under construction.
Lucy is happy that the construction of their new accommodation on the Ettensebaan is progressing quickly: “Very cool and cool. We will soon be able to receive a maximum of 500 people here, but we expect an average of 150 churchgoers to attend the celebrations.” There is parking space for 80 cars on the property.
At 21, Lucy is fully convinced of what her faith brings her: “Our community feels like family and I find here the principles I stand for. First, charity. We are all brothers and sisters and must help and support each other But also that I have a purpose here in life. So that I was not only born, but that I also have the task of giving people charity.”
On the border of Poland and Ukraine, Lucy helped women who had fled the war zone by offering them a place in shelters. “I have a lot of respect for the people from Ukraine, who taught me much more in charity than what I could offer them.” Lucy had a lot of work scrubbing and polishing the shelters and the refugee women, without home and hearth, lovingly took over from her.
In November the new church reaches its highest point. The opening is planned for March next year. The baptismal font is special about the new almshouse in Breda. Still under construction, but fundamentally different from Catholic churches. “It looks like a swimming pool, but it’s not. Just like with Christ who was baptized by John the Baptist, the followers are completely submerged here,” explains Lucy.
“The doors of our church are wide open to come and take a look.”
The announcement of the construction of the new church initially caused some murmuring in the area. There were concerns about traffic congestion and ‘unknown makes unloved’. The faith community is now on better terms with the people who live in the area.
“There is a clarinetist who lives here. He has offered to play with his fellow musicians at the opening of our church. How beautiful is that?” says Lucy. “And for all those who are curious, the doors of our church are wide open to come and take a look.”
ALSO READ: Mormons build new church in Breda for 500 followers