Horst (L): H. Lambertus
(A.J.N. Boosten, 1950-1954)
Like
nearby Sevenum, Horst lost its church in the closing months of
World War Two. While in Sevenum a new church in a rather archaic
style was built to replace the old one, the H.H.
Fabianus en Sebastianus by H.W. Valk, in Horst a much more
modern design was chosen by A.J.N. Boosten. Several designs were
made and many changes were made before in January 1950 the final
design was accepted. It took another year and a half before work
started. Boosten had already died and the work was carried out
by Jean Huysmans. In November 1952 the church was used for the
first time although it wasn't finished yet..
Although Boosten's churches never were very conventional, this
church is something special. The rather plain nave has a space
with a flat roof in front of it, while there are two towers at
the back. The taller tower consists of two parts, an open polygonal
upper part and a square lower part. The smaller tower marks the
choir. The church is five aisles wide, of which the outer aisles
are very narrow. Only the central aisle is not covered by a flat
roof, all the others are. Although in its time often criticized
for its unconventional looks, today the H. Lambertus is regarded
as one of Boosten's most important designs.
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