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About This File
After the alteration in 1578, all Catholic churches in the Netherlands were taken by the Calvinists. At first, Catholics weren't allowed to perform their religion, which resulted in hidden churches in warehouses, farms and other buildings. After a little time these churches were allowed in return of high fees. The churches weren't allowed to have any religious symbols and art work at the outside, and thus were very hard to recognize as a church. The interiors however were richly decorated, most times not being inferior to a real church.
Catholic Church "De Ster" (The star) (4x4 LM) was founded in 1699 in a former warehouse at the Spinhuissteeg, a narrow ally between the Oudezijds Achterburgwal and the Kloveniersburgwal. The entrance could be recognized by the star on the door. Other than that, the church must have looked like an ordinary warehouse at that time. In the late 18th century the Catholics were allowed to openly perform their religion and to build normal churches. De Ster was renovated between 1848 and 1864, and got two new entrances at the wider Rusland, at the other side of the church, packed between small houses. The chapel with the dome, at the left of the new main entrance,gave the church a more religious look.
After the Catholics moved out, the church was used as a paper warehouse between 1929 and 1955, and in the end demolished and replaced by a new warehouse. Nowadays there is a hotel at the site, only the facade at the Spinhuissteeg still remains.
V-apps, 03-30-08
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