Van Houtenkerk

Berlage and Jugendstil

The Van Houten Church was built in 1906 by order of the Van Houten sisters, descendants of the famous chocolate family. That is why the church is popularly known as 'the Chocolate Church'. The exterior of the Van Houten Church has neo-Romanesque style features. The interior also has features of Berlage's New Art with Jugendstil elements.

Stadsherstel

Stadsherstel has brought the building back to life. The rich chocolate history was honored at the reopening by starting with the Chocolate Festival with children's performances, a poetry competition, top-level classical concerts by Nicolas van Poucke, among others, a delicious chocolate dinner and a popular bonbon workshop. The one-metre-high Van Houten Church, imitated from chocolate, itself received national media attention (eg at Time for MAX) and the antiques market attracted about a thousand visitors.