The Vondelkerk (Vondel Church) is a unique and attractive monument on the edge of the Vondelpark, near Leidseplein. Cuypers, also the architect of Centraal Station, Rijksmuseum and Posthoornkerk, built the Vondelstraat as a property developer. And, in keeping with his vision of the ideal community, he built a church right in the middle of the houses.
The first stone of this neo-Gothic, cross-shaped basilica was laid in 1872. When the severely-neglected building was threatened with being demolished, a plan for its renovation was drawn up. A foundation that was set up in 1980 took care of the restoration and found a new use for this beautiful monument so that it still exists today.
There is no church service anymore. The middle nave of the Vondelkerk is used for weddings, dinners, receptions, lectures and musical events or other cultural activities.
[from http://amsterdamsights.com/attractions/vondelkerk.html]
