St. Theresia Church, Maastricht

Located on Theresiaplein in the Biesland neighborhood of Maastricht, Saint Theresia Church is a Roman Catholic parish church named after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Built in the early 1930s, the church is a striking example of religious architecture in the city and is recognized as a municipal monument. The church has also gained new life in recent years as a shared space with the South Netherlands Philharmonic.

The parish of Saint Theresia was established in 1932, as Maastricht expanded southwestward, breaking away from Saint-Lambert and Saint Peter and Paul parishes. Architect J.H.H. van Groenendael, known for designing the Saint Lambertus Church, originally drafted the plans, though the final design was mostly executed by his son, H.F.M. van Groenendael. Construction began with the laying of the foundation stone on November 1, 1933, and the church was officially consecrated on October 3, 1934, Saint Therese's feast day.

The building itself is constructed from Kunrader limestone and combines neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles. It features a three-aisled basilica layout with a transept, transept tower, and two towers at the front façade. The pointed-arch windows reflect Gothic influence, while the twin towers with copper tent roofs show Romanesque inspiration. Inside, the church houses remarkable stained glass windows by artists such as Henri Schoonbrood, Max Weiss, Gilles Franssen, and Frans Slijpen. Sculptural work by Charles Vos, including the altar’s calvary group and several devotional statues, further enriches the interior.

The church's musical heritage includes a unique pipe organ, installed in 1951, originally from a Parisian cinema and built by the famous Cavaillé-Coll & Fils firm.

Despite its repurposing, the Saint Theresia parish continues to use part of the building, including the day chapel. The church stands as a vivid example of adaptive reuse, successfully balancing its spiritual role with a cultural purpose.