Van Gogh Church, Eindhoven
The Van Goghkerkje (Van Gogh Church) in Nuenen is a Protestant temple located in the picturesque setting of Park Houtrijk, an old villa garden. This Neoclassical-style hall chapel was built in 1824.
Despite its architectural simplicity (rectangular plan with a three-sided closure on the short sides, two bays, and an open turret with a spire on the roof), this church is listed as a national monument for its connection with the Van Gogh family and the artist himself.
One of its ministers was Theodorus van Gogh, the artist's father, who served here from 1882 until his death in 1885. Also, both Vincent and his brother Theo were christened in this chapel.
Vincent van Gogh captured the building on canvas several times throughout his career. In 1884, he painted it for his mother who had been confined to bed following an accident and could no longer attend the services. Later, after his father's death, Vincent added to the painting several figures of peasants in mourning clothes. This painting, called "Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen", was exhibited in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam until 2002, when it was stolen (it was eventually found, in the vicinity of Naples, Italy, in 2016).
Starting from 1963, the church has had a carillon of 18 bells. Earlier, in 1928, a vestry was added. Overall, the building underwent several restorations: in 1955; in 1984 (renovating the roof); and from 2000 to 2009, during which a complete overhaul took place.
Presently, the chapel is used for special ceremonies and cultural events.
Despite its architectural simplicity (rectangular plan with a three-sided closure on the short sides, two bays, and an open turret with a spire on the roof), this church is listed as a national monument for its connection with the Van Gogh family and the artist himself.
One of its ministers was Theodorus van Gogh, the artist's father, who served here from 1882 until his death in 1885. Also, both Vincent and his brother Theo were christened in this chapel.
Vincent van Gogh captured the building on canvas several times throughout his career. In 1884, he painted it for his mother who had been confined to bed following an accident and could no longer attend the services. Later, after his father's death, Vincent added to the painting several figures of peasants in mourning clothes. This painting, called "Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen", was exhibited in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam until 2002, when it was stolen (it was eventually found, in the vicinity of Naples, Italy, in 2016).
Starting from 1963, the church has had a carillon of 18 bells. Earlier, in 1928, a vestry was added. Overall, the building underwent several restorations: in 1955; in 1984 (renovating the roof); and from 2000 to 2009, during which a complete overhaul took place.
Presently, the chapel is used for special ceremonies and cultural events.
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Van Gogh Church on Map
Sight Name: Van Gogh Church
Sight Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands (See walking tours in Eindhoven)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands (See walking tours in Eindhoven)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Eindhoven
Creating your own self-guided walk in Eindhoven is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Van Gogh's Nuenen Walking Tour
The small town of Nuenen, located practically a stone's throw from Eindhoven, is a very old Dutch locality that shot into significance as the inspiration behind many of the works by Vincent van Gogh. The painter lived and worked here for 18 months, from December 1883 to May 1885. During this period he created many paintings capturing the images of local people (peasants, weavers, etc.) such... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Eindhoven Introduction Walking Tour
Eindhoven is the largest city in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. It was founded in the 13th century but didn't see large growth until DAF Trucks and Philips Electronics were established in the city during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Eindhoven was officially given status as a municipality in 1232. It was already a small town with less than 200 houses inside the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Eindhoven was officially given status as a municipality in 1232. It was already a small town with less than 200 houses inside the city... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles