Augustijnenkerk (Augustinian Church), Maastricht

Augustijnenkerk is a former monastery church for the Augustinian Order in Maastricht. The temple, featuring early Liège Baroque style, was built from 1609 to 1659. Its construction was made possible thanks to the lavish donation from Edmond Godfried van Bocholtz, Grand Commander of the Biesen bailiff of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, and his predecessor, Godfried Huyn van Geleen, whose coat of arms now adorns the façade.

Underneath the benefactor's heraldry, the central round arch window is crowned by the city arms of Maastricht. Particularly striking is the eastern façade decorated with large volutes and festoons. In the top of the façade is a large relief of the flaming heart of Saint Augustine. Above the entrance, inscribed in a cartouche, is the year 1659 and the text “DOM Beatae Mariae, SS. Pontificibus Augustino et Huberto Sacrum” (dedication to Saint Mary, Pope Augustine, and Saint Hubertus).

Built of brick, marl and Namur stone, the Augustijnenkerk is a non-oriented single-aisled hall church with a wooden barrel vault. A single nave consists of five bays with large, clear windows on the south side. A ridge turret has been placed near the western corner of the slate - covered saddle-back roof. Between the nave and the presbytery is a triumphal arch decorated with Louis XV Rococo-style stucco. The choir, which was added in the early 20th century, has a stained glass window by Huib Luns from 1925, depicting the Last Supper.

At the end of the 18th century the monastery was disbanded and thenceforth the building has served a variety of functions. Presently it is used as a rehearsal space by the Maastricht Choral Society, for which purpose the interior has been fitted with sound-absorbing elements.

The Augustinian Church has been a national monument since 1966.