Amsterdam There is a Jesuit Church in Amsterdam, but they only hold Masses in Dutch and Latin and they aren't a parish, just a Church. They opened in 1653 during the Reformation when Calvinists controlled the city council and churches were tolerated if the right people were bribed, but most churches were known by nicknames, not by the patron saint of the church due to the repression of religious practice at the time. De Krijtberg means "mountain of chalk" and probably relates to a business near the site sometime around the establishment of the church. Later, in 1883, when The Krijtberg went public, the previous small chapel was augmented with a large brick structure which forms the main church now. In the 1970s many churches in Amsterdam, particularly in the center of the city, were demolished or recommitted to a new purpose due to the decline in interest in religion. Somehow The Krijtberg was saved from demolition through the efforts of individuals and is a very beautiful church with major points of interest being bright painting of the walls on the interior in a style like bright banners and ribbons and decorative stained glass behind the altar as well as intricate woodwork throughout. Img_2079
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