Church building former “WAALSE KERK” (WALLONIAN CHURCH)

The “Eglise Wallonne Reformée” (Wallonian Reformed Church) has had access to a variety of Roman Catholic sanctuaries in Maastricht during the seventeenth century.  The last of these was the “Hilarius-kapel” (Hilarius Chapel). When the Hilarius-kapel became too small for the congregation, they broke it down and at the same location had it replaced with a new and larger church, designed by Nicolas Comhaire, an architect from Luik (also known as Liege in Belgium). Construction took 22 months and was completed in 1732.

As may be expected, the interior of the church has been modified and changed over the years to accommodate different needs.  However, the external church building is preserved in its original condition.  As a consequence it has been recognized as a “Rijks-monument” (National Monument).

By 1984, the French speaking Wallonian congregation had become so small that they wanted to transfer the care of the building to others.  Our congregation had rented the facilities in the previous 20 plus years, and so it was only natural that the Wallonian congregation decided to “sell” the church building to our congregation.  The sales price for such a monument was for a symbolic price of one Dutch Guilder.  Of course with that came all the rights and responsibilities.  Every year the National and the Provincial Government provide 90% for the normal maintenance.

The following individual items come under the purview of the “Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg” (National Monuments Service): the santuary building itself, the rear construction, the Pulpit, the gentlemens pew assembly and the organ. Ten years after the church was constructed, Thomas Weydtman from Ratingen near   Düsseldorf Germany, delivered a new organ, but used an existing organ case. The organ has one keyboard with a “coupled pedal keyboard.” The disposition consists of eleven registers and exhibits a unique and exceptional baroque clarity and beauty .

On the side walls of the worship area  there are several French biblical texts which were taken out of an old French bible translation of 1743 (La Sainte Bible - Le Vieux et Le Nouveau Testament).
This bible was translated by David Martin (Ministre du St.Evangile a Utrecht) and published by Jean Neaume in The Hague (A La Haye) in M.D.CC.XLIII (1743)

Below are the French texts as they appear on the walls; (the applicable English translation is from the New International Version (NIV)).

Translation: “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God”. 2 Samuel 10:12

Translation: “With God we will gain the victory”. Psalm 60:12 (vs. 14 does not exist in the NIV)

Translation: “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men”.  1 Peter 2:13

Translation: “Fear God, honor the king”   1 Peter 2:17

More pictures are shown in the gallery/building