The Goede Herderkerk

The Goede Herderkerk, also known as the Meerburgkerk, is a Roman Catholic church located at Hoge Rijndijk 16a, Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk, Netherlands, and part of the Parish of Heiligen Petrus en Paulus. Until December 2016, the church was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

After a major restoration and renovation, followed by the closure of the Menswordingkerk in Leiderdorp, it was re-consecrated on Saturday, December 17, 2016, by Hans van den Hende, Bishop of Rotterdam, and dedicated to the Good Shepherd.

The O.L. Vrouw Onbevlekt Ontvangenparochie was founded in 1855. The original church building was a Waterstaatskerk, with the adjacent Meerburg house converted into a parsonage.

Between 1895 and 1896, the current church was built. On March 5, 1896, the church was consecrated by Mgr. Bottemanne, Bishop of Haarlem.

• Tonnaer designed a three-aisled cross basilica in neo-Romanesque style.
• At the crossing of the nave and transept stands a large octagonal cupola tower.
• The façade is flanked on both sides by clock towers.

The nave and transept have wooden rib vaults, while the side aisles have stone cross-rib vaults. Between the church and parsonage stood an Immaculate Heart statue by Joseph Timmermans.

1. In the 1930s, it became clear that the church dome was too heavy for the supporting structure, and the church threatened to collapse.
2. With additional support beams and a metal structure in the interior, the dome was saved.

The original parsonage built in 1921 was demolished and replaced with new construction.

1. During World War II, the original bells from 1901 were seized by the Germans and melted down.
2. In 1947 and 1948, three new bells were installed in the two clock towers.

During the Second Vatican Council, the church was served by a priest and chaplain who approached the expected outcomes of the council with great enthusiasm. As a result, the interior of the church was adapted.

1. The brightly polychromed walls and ceiling were overpainted in lighter colors.
2. Much of the church's rich inventory was also removed, sold, or given away.

The Meerburgkerk became one of the first churches worldwide where the altar table stood separate from the rear wall of the apse, allowing the liturgy to be directed towards the congregation.

This adjustment is now regretted as it has radically altered the character of the church space.

The original glasswork in the church was also included in this renovation. The current windows of light-colored matte glass date back to this time.

The original glass from the church's construction era remains, however, in the upper portals and clock towers.

• The new colorful stained-glass windows in the apse were created by Amsterdam artist Karel Trautwein.
• Due to its unique architecture (neo-Romanesque cross basilica with cupola) and the defining character of the building, the Meerburgkerk has been a National Monument since 1976.

The Meerburgkerk has been a National Monument since 1976.