Book launch 'Domes born apart'

PRESS RELEASE

On Nov. 3, a book by historian Jan van Oudheusden will be presented in the Waalwijk St. John's Church:

Domes Born Apart.
100 years of St. John's Waalwijk 1925-2025

From 1925, the domes and slender tower of St. John's mark the silhouette of Waalwijk. This new publication is a prelude to the 2025 celebration of the centenary of the neo-Byzantine structure. The book not only gives the "stone" story: the sources of inspiration, the construction and decorations of the Sint-Jan. It also tells of generations that have breathed life into the church building: the Waalwijk Catholic religious community in times of prosperity and of decline. All this is sketched against the backdrop of local circumstances and of important social developments in our country.

St. John's is still a house of prayer. It is also a striking exotic structure of national and international stature. It houses such precious art treasures as the stained glass windows by Willem Wiegmans and the Stations of the Cross by Charles Eyck.

Domes Born Apart tells a colorful story, beginning with the bold concept of a young architect and the work of young artists who chose modern forms of expression. It ends with the initiatives to safeguard the precious heritage for the future. The richly illustrated volume has 254 pages, many of them in full color. It was designed by the firm Pulles & Pulles in Waalwijk.

Until November 2 it is possible to subscribe to the book at the reduced price of € 19.95. For every subscriber there will be a copy ready on November 3 after the presentation. Also in the following weeks one can pick up the copy during the opening hours of the church (Wed-Sun from 1:30-4:30 pm). After November 3, the retail price will be €24.95. Pre-subscription is easy at https://www.100jaarsintjan.nl

At the November 3 meeting at the church, former Volkskrant editor Jan Tromp will interview the author. There will be musical contributions by Joop de Zwart (organ), Hannie and Mieke van Huijgevoort (vocals) and Leo de Vlieger (vocals). The first copies will be presented to Sacha Ausems, mayor of Waalwijk, and Jos Verbraeken, parish priest of Sint Jan de Doper. Anyone wishing to attend can register at: www.vriendensintjanwaalwijk.nl/aanmelden

Layout of the afternoon:

1:30 p.m.: walk-in; coffee/tea.
14.00: opening by Nol Kleijngeld, chairman foundation 100 years Sint-Jan.
14.15 - approx. 16.00: the program parts as mentioned above.
16.00: presentation of copies to subscribers and musical closing.

Publication and organization: foundation Friends of Sint Jan de Doper Waalwijk