The central idea of ​​the winning pitch was the inn. The church had to become a welcoming place for everyone. This can be seen in the smallest detail of the new interior. It is linked to the part of the Christmas story in which Joseph and Mary search for a place to sleep.

By installing a glass portal at the entrance, the church doors are literally always open. In the church itself, all the benches have been rearranged. People no longer sit in rows, but around the pastor. This creates a warmer, more intimate atmosphere. The benches near the back are raised to offer clear lines of sight.

The new liturgical furniture stand in the centre of this arena on a glass mobile stage. In the modern church, the pastor is no longer high in his pulpit, but down among the people during church services. This makes liturgical furniture, especially the sacrament table, more important in the service.

The furniture uses a visual metaphor to strengthen the concept of a place where everyone is welcome. The lengths represent all the many different people, but the use of only one type of material suggests that everyone is welcome. This creates an organic shape. The lengths represent all the many different people, but the use of only one type of material suggests that everyone is welcome. Here, it doesn’t matter who you are. Here, we are all alike. In addition to the sacrament table, a kneeling couch, a candlestick, the baptismal font and stools were also made in the same style.

Winning pitch made together with Kijlstra & Brouwer Architects. (www.kijlstraenbrouwer.nl)