St. Lambertus Church Eindhoven – Catholic church in Gestel

St. Lambertus Church is located on Hoogstraat in Gestel, just off the ring road, on the old village street of what was an independent village until 1920. The Neo-Gothic cruciform basilica was designed in 1909 by architect Wolter te Riele and built in 1910–1911 to replace a small church dating from 1835. It is one of this architect’s most significant early works, featuring a striking entrance tower and a remarkably well-preserved interior.

The history of the parish dates back to long before that church building was erected. The earliest mention of a St. Lambert Church in neighboring Blaarthem dates to the fourteenth century; in Gestel itself, there was a chapel. When the church in Blaarthem was taken away from the Catholics in 1648, the faithful sought refuge in barn churches. It was not until the nineteenth century that Gestel once again had its own church building.

The interior is one of the reasons the church is so highly valued as a historic monument: the richly decorated altar, the wooden Marian shrine, the carved pulpit supported by Saint Lambert, the painted Stations of the Cross, and the confessionals have all been preserved. The church is part of a complete historic complex, including the freestanding rectory from 1909, two patronage buildings, and a cemetery behind the church.

The fact that the building still stands is thanks to the parishioners themselves. On Sunday, November 12, 1972, the church was closed after the morning service and slated for demolition. A group of parishioners then occupied the building and held it for more than two months. The protest made national and even international news—and the church was saved. It has been a national monument since 1990.

Today, St. Lambert’s Church is home to two communities. In addition to the parishioners of Gestel, the international community of Eindhoven gathers here: English-language services have been held here since 2008. Everyone is welcome, whether from the neighborhood or from far beyond.

Opening hours

• Parish Center: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Open office hours (Chaplain Bosco): Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Address and contact information

Hoogstraat 297, 5654 NA Eindhoven

Phone: (040) 251 48 10
Email: kwcgestel@parochiesintjoris.nl

Sources

• Wikipedia – Sint-Lambertuskerk (Eindhoven)
• Wierook, wijwater & worstenbrood – De H. Lambertuskerk in Eindhoven
• Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed – monumentnummer 356432
• Reliwiki – Eindhoven, Hoogstraat 299 (Lambertus)