Heerlen (L)

Heerlen (L)

Heerlen is the successor of the Roman settlement Coriovallum. In the 19th century Heerlen became the centre of the mining-district, until the last mine closed in 1974. Although the district attracted miners from other parts of the country, as well as from outside, Heerlen remained a mostly catholic city with numerous churches and religious institutions. Part of the city are several former villages and miners' settlements, many of which have a church.

The St. Pancratius appears to be a Romanesque church, but in fact only the tower and the nave are truly Romanesque and date from the 12th century. In 1901-1903 the church was restored and the choir replaced by a transept with crossing-tower and a new choir by architect Jos. Cuypers.

Location: Pancratiusplein 45

The neo-Gothic chapel of the Savelbergconvent was built in 1878-1879 and was designed by J. Kayser.

Location: Gasthuisstraat 2a

In Heerlerheide, now a part of Heerlen, stands the H. Cornelius. This church in neo-Romanesque style was officially designed by by Jos. Cuypers and Jan Stuyt but was probably the work of Stuyt alone. The church dates from 1909-1910, when the partnership by Cuypers and Stuyt had already ended.

Location: Kerkstraat 8, Heerlerheide

The St. Franciscus van Assisië was built in 1922-1923 and was designed by P.G. Buskens, an architect who mostly worked in Rotterdam and surrounding area.

Location: Laanderstraat 33

C.J.H. Franssen and his son J. Franssen designed the O.L. Vrouwe Verschijning van Lourdes, a church in neo-Romanesque style built in 1926.

Location: Gerard Bruningstraat 4, Molenberg

The H. Hart van Jezus in the Schandelen neighbourhood was built in 1927 and was designed by Jos. Wielders, one of the most important architects of churches in Limburg in that period.

Location: Meezenbroekerweg 116, Schandelen

F.P.J. Peutz is the most important architect in Heerlen's history. He designed many buildings in Heerlen, like the town hall, a cinema, the theatre and many more. While his profane work was very modern for its time, the architect was rather traditional as far as his designs for churches were concerned. This is the H. Antonius van Padua from 1929, with standing next to it the Franciscan monastery.

Location: Beesdalweg 62

The chapel of St. Bernardinus van Siena was also designed by Jos Wielders and dates from 1930-1931. It was built as the chapel of a Franciscan monastery with a school for boys.

Location: Akerstraat 97

The reformed church is a cruciform building in a mixture of Rationalistiv and moderate Expressionistic styles. It was built in 1931-1932 and was designed by J. and Th. Stuivinga, both important architects of reformed churches in that time.

Location: Tempsplein 14

Jan Stuyt designed many buildings in Heerlen, although mostly profane ones, such as houses and schools. This chapel dates from 1934 and was designed by Stuyt and his son Giacomo for the school of midwives built by Stuyt in the early 1920's.

Location: Parc Imstenrade

Heksenberg is a former miners' settlement. Architect A.J. Boosten designed this St. Gerardus Majella built in 1935-1937. It's one of his most important designs.

Location: Heerenweg 45, Heksenberg

The H. Anna dates from 1952 and was designed by F.P.J. Peutz, whose designs by then were much less traditionally looking than his earlier work.

Location: Bekkerveld 15

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