In 2017, the church of Saint Catherine – also called the city church of Eindhoven – will exist 150 years. This Roman Catholic church, built on the foundations of a smaller church from the Middle Ages, is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. Here you can find the full program.
The current church was built in a neo-Gothic style designed by Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921), renowned for among others the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station. The church in Eindhoven is one of the early highlights in his career. The construction began in 1861 and was completed in 1867. The church is a national monument since 1973 and is owned by the municipality of Eindhoven.
Because of the anniversary a committee has been established: ‘150 jaar Sint-Catharinakerk’ which is composed of representatives from the city of Eindhoven, parish directors of St. Joris Kerk, Open Huis, Steunpunt Materiële Hulpverlening, Muziek in de Cathrien, Sint Catharina Gilde, management Catharina Church, sextons, carillonneur, organist, Open Monumentendag and a number of volunteers.
This committee is the initiator of a large number of activities which will take place during 2017.
Tuesday, 2 May
16:00 hrs
Opening Cuypers Exhibition about his designs for the Sint-Catharinakerk, by M.A. Schreurs, alderman of Eindhoven.
Many drawings and sketches from Cuypers for the neo-Gothic church have been preserved. Some of these can be seen in the exhibition, along with some well-kept elements and other objects.
Also the program ‘150 jaar Sint-Catharinakerk’ will be presented by the dean of Eindhoven, René Wilmink.
Sunday, 2 July
Opening of the exhibition, ‘Church of Saint-Catherine, center of a changing environment’.
The exhibition shows many pictures of the church from various prominent landmarks of the city from the period 1867-2017.
Saturday, 29 July and Saturdays in August
Accompanied by members of the CKE (Centre for the Arts) workshops like painting and sculpture will be given in the church. For exact program and times, see the website in due course: www.150jaarsintcatharinakerk.nl
Saturday, 26 August
Two activities organized by Steunpunt Materiële Hulpvragen (financial aid organization) and ‘Open Huis Cathrien’.
This is a meeting place with drinks and snacks on the ‘court’ of the celebrating church. Everyone is welcome. Inside the church some social organizations will give presentations. There will be tours and exhibitions which can be visited.
Saturdays in September
Some catering businesses in the city centre will offer to thirty to forty people a free and healthy breakfast.
Saturday, 2 September
15:00 hrs
Anniversary concert of Claudio Monteverdi’s Maria Vespers with a speech of Deputy Mayor M. A. Schreurs. Afterwards official reception by the Mayor and the Council and Parish board.
The Vesprodella Beata Vergine by Monteverdi, will be performed by soloists and the Collegium Vocale en Instrumentale Eindhoven’.
Entrance is free; your volutary donation is welcome.
Sunday, 3 September
11:00 hrs
Jubilee Eucharist with Bishop Monsignor G. de Korte as the main celebrant in the ‘Messe à deux et deux orgues choeurs’ of Charles-Marie Widor from 1878, (a Mass for two choirs and two organs).
The Mass is performed by the ‘Zangers van Sinte Cathrien’ and the male voice choir of Deurne.
13.00 hrs
Presentation of a gift by the ‘Catharinagilde Eindhoven-Stad’ to the Church at Stadspalviljoen.
14.30 hrs
‘Koningsschieten’ by members of the ‘Sint Catharinagilde Eindhoven-Stad’ in the presence of Mgr. Gerard de Korte in Stadswandelpark (city park).
Tuesday, 5 September
20:00 hrs
Lecture by Drs. L. Fijen, ‘The changing role of the Catholic Church’.
Leo Fijen, known as presenter and producer of television programs about religion and philosophy, discusses current issues in his lecture, the importance of the spiritual gathering in our society and he wonders about the actual role the of the church itself.
Admission is free, registration via: www.150jaarcatharinakerk.nl
Saturday, 9 September
15:00 hrs
National Organ Day. Orgelbau Klais from Bonn overhauled the great organ of St. Catherine’s Church this year. It will be put to use again with a concert by the city organist Ruud Huybregts.
Saturday, 9 September
12.00 – 17.00 hrs
Heritage Day, ‘Farmers, citizens and countrymen’. Special tourist walk from the church to the Saint Catherine-cemetery and back. Special attention for the early period of the church, its architecture and art treasures; visit to some monumental tombs in the cemetery. Departure times for the walk from the square in front of Saint Catherine’s church: 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30. From 12:00h free tickets will be available at the church.
Tuesday, 12 September
20:00 hrs
Lecture by Dr. A. Oxenaar, ‘The life and work of Pierre Cuypers’.
Oxenaar, Director of Monuments and Archeology for the municipality of Amsterdam, will talk in his lecture about the relationship between building and city, relating to the work of Cuypers. He will discuss the work of the architect across the board, with emphasis on the design of the Church of Saint Catherine in Eindhoven. Admission is free, registration via www.150jaarcatharinakerk.nl
Saturday, 16 September
15.00 hrs
The ‘Utrechter Te Deum’ of George Friderick Handel together with the ’Music for the Royal Fireworks’. A cooperation of the Eindhoven Chamber Choir led by Rienk Bakker and the ‘Collegium Instrumentale Eindhoven’ headed by Ruud Huijbregts.
Entrance fee: €15.- at the entrance of the church.
Saturday, 16 September
22:30 to 02:00 hrs
‘Catharinanacht’ (night)’ is organized by Open Huis Cathrien, every third Saturday of the month. It is aimed at evening and night visitors of Stratumseind. The church is open for discussion, to let the silence speak, for prayer and music.
Admission is free.
Sunday, 17 September
17:00 hrs
‘Choral Evensong’, ecumenical vespers. Capella Vesperale offers an Evensong every third Sunday of the month. On the occasion of the anniversary of the Saint-Catherine’s Church it will now include a ‘Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis’ of Bob Chilcott, and a festive anthem of William Boyce. Capella Vesperale is led by music director Esther Sijp and the organist Gerard Habraken.
Admission is free.
Tuesday, 19 September
Opening of the exhibition ‘De Kunstschatten van de Sint Catharinakerk’ (treasures of the church).
20.00 hrs
Lecture by Drs. P. Thoben, ‘The design and the art treasures of the Saint-Catharinechurch’.
Art and cultural historian Peter Thoben was director-curator of Museum Kempenland in Eindhoven from 1981 to 2010.
In addition to the sculptural ornamentation of the building and the current dressing, in his lecture he will also speak of the lost art inventory using old footage. Special attention is paid to artists, art zealots, artisans and generous donors.
Admission is free, registration via: www.150jaarcatharinakerk.nl
Saturday, 11 – Saturday 18 November
Glow, Light Art Festival
Saturday, 25 November
19.30 hrs
‘Dulce Lignum’, by composer-pianist Henk van Riel. An evening in Christmas atmosphere filled with music, dance and theatre performed by CKV (Centre for the Arts) in collaboration with professionals and amateurs from Eindhoven.
Entrance fee: €10.- including interval drink.
Please note: All activities will be taking place in the St. Catherine’s Church unless otherwise stated.
Program subject to change.
(Edited by volunteer of Eindhoven News)
Main picture: Spoo Brüning
