The Vondel Church (Dutch: Vondelkerk) was a church building located on Vondelstraat in Amsterdam-West. From 1880 to 1977, the building—designed by architect Pierre Cuypers—served as the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Roman Catholic parish of the same name. After its deconsecration, the central nave was used for purposes including concerts, while surrounding spaces were rented out as offices.
In a fire in November 1904, the original tower was destroyed. It was rebuilt according to a design by Joseph Cuypers, son of Pierre Cuypers. During the early hours of 1 January 2026, another fire broke out, this time completely destroying the building.
Around 1870, plans were developed to build a church near the Vondelpark, and architect Pierre Cuypers was commissioned for the project. Cuypers devoted special attention to this Neo-Gothic church, which he could see from his own residence. In 1873, a nationwide lottery was organized to finance the completion of the church. Queen Sophie of Württemberg donated two valuable salon lamps for the lottery, and Pope Pius IX contributed an expensive cameo.
The building was put into use on 16 June 1880. It was the first church in the world dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Cuypers designed the Vondel Church based on medieval precedents, while employing modern techniques such as steel constructions for the tower. The original entrance was on the south side, aligned with Vondelstraat. The church was characterized by its use of colored brickwork, primarily dark and light red for the pillars. The vaults featured yellow fields and green-and-white ribs. After religious services ceased, offices were installed; the former choir and altar area was converted into a cloakroom.
“A tower must be tall; a low tower is an abomination,” was a well-known quote attributed to Cuypers, explaining the original fifty-meter-high tower.
